Chapter 6 - Shadows on the Wall
A week after Dorian Rusk’s arrest made front-page news across Northbridge, the emotional aftermath continued to ripple through the community.
While the criminal case against Dorian built rapidly, Wren Halstead remained trapped in a quiet, brooding shadow at home.
Even though she had been vindicated by the police and praised by the medical staff, the trauma of that night clung to her. She jumped at sudden noises, struggled to sleep, and refused to go anywhere near the families from the sitting cooperative.
"She hasn't left her room all afternoon," Marcus said softly to Sarah Mitchell, who had stopped by the Halstead home with an update on the legal proceedings.
"It’s post-traumatic stress, Marcus," Sarah sighed, setting her coffee cup down. "She carried the weight of a baby’s life in her hands, was wrongfully accused of severe violence, and then discovered she was an unwitting pawn in a horrific crime scheme. That's a heavy burden for a fifteen-year-old."
"I just want my brave girl back," Marcus whispered, rubbing his face with his hands.
Upstairs in her bedroom, Wren sat on her window seat, watching the rain streak down the glass.
Her phone chimed on her desk.
It was a text message from an unknown number:
“Wren? This is Sabine Rusk. I know I have no right to ask this of you... but if you are willing, Tobin and I would really like to see you.”
Wren stared at the screen, her heart executing a sudden, erratic flutter.
She walked downstairs, holding her phone out to her father.
"Dad," Wren said quietly. "Sabine wants me to meet her."
Marcus looked at the message, his brow furrowing with deep protective worry. "Wren, you don't have to do this. You've been through enough."
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Wren looked down at her hands—the same hands that had pressed against Tobin’s tiny chest in the dark living room.
"I need to see him, Dad," Wren said, her voice carrying a quiet resolve. "I need to see him breathing when I'm not pushing on him."
