Page 127 of Creeping Beautiful

But Carter and I… we were never meant to be two separate people. We were always supposed to be one.

My grandfather made a mistake taking my brother from me.

Huge. Mistake.

And he paid for it with his life.

I have kept current on the advancing technologies in psychiatric therapy. Much more so over the past two years than the three prior to that. And I would like to try something with Indie tonight.

I know Adam is not coming back here until he’s sure things are safe and the quickest way to get there is to figure out where Indie’s been and what she knows.

I would like to be very clear. I never lied to her. Not once. Not ever.

But I haven’t been completely forthcoming with any of them. And when it comes to Indie, I have taken great care to hide things.

Not about me. I don’t care if they find out what I’m up to. That was always the plan.

But I have hidden things from Indie about herself.

And tonight I will pull back the cloak she’s been wearing and set her free.

McKay is initially resistant. He doesn’t speak when I present my offer, but I know him well enough to hear what he’s not saying.

If McKay had his way, he’d never let Indie know the truth. If he had his way, he’d keep her ten forever. I know it. I can see it in his eyes.

He didn’t want to do what we did on Indie’s twentieth birthday. He was the one who walked out. Not me. Not Adam. Him.

But he didn’t get far. There is no way McKay would walk away from Indie. Not ever. Even if Adam hadn’t chased him out the door after Indie made it clear what she wanted from us that day, he would not have left. He might’ve gotten in his truck. Maybe even started the engine. But he would not have left.

But things have changed now. Indie was the one who left and McKay had no say in it. He will do anything to keep her now.

Anything.

So when I make my offer and he’s silently resistant, I know that from McKay, that’s implied agreement.

SESSION #191

INTERVIEW WITH INDIE - AGE 24

SESSION #191

DONOVAN: OK, Indie. You know the drill. Tell me what we’re doing.

INDIE: Oh, for fuck’s sake, Donovan. We all know what we’re doing.

MCKAY: We need to hear it from you, Indie.

McKay, you’re not supposed to say anything. Indie, say it out loud or we can’t get started.

Fine. We’re doing hypnosis so you guys can help me remember what I’ve been doing and where I’ve been for the past four years.

OK. Tell me the last thing you remember from your twentieth—

I… I just don’t think this is a good idea.

McKay, you are to keep quiet. Or you will have to leave.

I just—