The Hidden - Jessica Verday [40]
She dangled that carrot of information in front of me on a well-practiced hook, and I couldn’t say no. The chance to finally get some answers? I couldn’t pass that up.
“Fine. I’ll go with you. Just tell me one thing, where are we going?”
“Gray’s Folly.” Cacey looked gleeful as she practically rubbed her hands together. “An insane asylum.”
Cacey told me that we’d only be staying overnight, so I packed a T-shirt, some jeans, and a couple of toiletry items in a small bag while she went downstairs with Uri. When she returned half an hour later, she said, “Okay. We’re all set. You’re officially spending the weekend at my house for a sleepover.”
I glanced over at Caspian worriedly. “Kame, Sophie, and Uri are going to take care of him while we’re gone?”
“Yup. Although it’s going to be just Kame and Sophie. Uri’s our driver.”
“And why are we going to an insane asylum?”
“Looking for someone.”
I didn’t know if that meant we were going to be looking for a patient or for someone who worked there, but I decided to let it go for now. Reluctantly I shouldered my bag. Bending down near Caspian’s ear, I whispered, “I love you. You’re in good hands. I’ll be back soon, and you’ll be awake then.” I hope.
I wasn’t really sure about that, but with Caspian in this vulnerable state, I’d much rather have him be with the Revs who could take care of Vincent, instead of just me. “So tell me again why we can’t stay here and just have you guys watch over us?” I asked.
“Too many questions.” Cacey shook her head. “Our mind mojo is good and all, but after a while there would be too much to explain to your parents. Plus, do you really want Vincent coming back here again?”
“Right. Okay. Good point.” I looked over my bedroom. “Then, I think I’m ready. Can you tell me where Kame and Sophie will be taking Caspian, at least?”
“Better if I don’t. Trust me.”
My face fell.
“Awwww, cheer up,” she said, steering me down the stairs. “You’ll forget all about it soon. I got us a road trip surprise. A twenty-four-pack of delicious Coke-a-Cola!”
Yay. That makes everything soooo much better … I smiled weakly at her and allowed myself to be directed downstairs.
I said a quick good-bye to Mom and Dad and then went outside to the Jetta. “How far away is it?” I asked, settling myself in and buckling my seat belt.
“About three hours. Upstate. Shouldn’t take long,” Uri replied.
Cacey was already opening a Coke and happily slurping away before we even pulled out of the driveway. She offered me one once we hit the highway, and I took it. I didn’t want it, but God forbid I tell her that.
Time slipped away along with the scenery, and eventually I saw a sign that read MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY 20 MILES AHEAD. Then another stating it was ten miles ahead, and another for five. At the one-mile mark I started to get a little bit nervous.
It was late afternoon when we arrived, and big rusted gates, one side emblazoned with an ornate G, the other with an F, blocked the way in front of us as the car came to a stop. Uri rolled down his window and said something to the guard that I couldn’t hear. The guard nodded and checked his clipboard to confirm whatever Uri had told him. Then he waved us in.
A series of gray buildings came into view, like oversize blocks. Two small ones on the left, two small ones on the right, and a giant one in the middle. Barbed wire covered sections of the high walls at the top, and spotlights were installed in every corner.
“Looks like a prison,” I muttered.
“It was,” Cacey said. “Once. In 1825 it was built to hold all the prisoners that were waiting on death row. Then in 1943 someone thought it would be a good idea to turn it into a mental health facility for the criminally insane. Over the past twenty years or so they’ve expanded into accepting all sorts of people with mental illnesses and diseases.”
“Lovely.” Exactly the type of place where I wanted to spend my weekend. “And we’re here to see someone?”
Uri pulled the car forward and found a parking spot. “Yup.”
“A patient, or a facility