First published 2015
Jo runs through the woods to escape memories of a tragic death. Running keeps her mind clear when nothing else works. During one of her runs, she finds a young boy living alone in the forest. The boy has nowhere to go and no one to protect him. Jo decides she must keep him safe no matter what it takes. DS Sam Hollands struggles with her failing relationship. She wants to repair things but doesn't know how to start. Sam returns home from work one evening and finds a stranger waiting inside her house. The intrusion changes everything for her. Elizabeth Haynes weaves these two stories together in a psychologically complex tale. Jo's determination to protect the vulnerable boy drives her forward. Sam's personal crisis collides with professional danger. Both women face choices that will define who they become. This short story captures the weight of promises we make and the cost of keeping them.
Genres: mystery, crime, contemporary, psychological-thriller
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Woods
43 pages · Kindle Edition · Harper Paperbacks
Content warnings: anxiety, depression, mental-illness