His [The Cellar sequel]

The scent of lilies, cloyingly sweet and a stark reminder of her past, made Summer's stomach churn. Her dad, oblivious, held out a large bunch, but Summer snatched them, her hands trembling, and marched to the kitchen, tossing them into the bin with a defiant thud.

Lewis, her boyfriend, was immediately there, his arms wrapping around her protectively. "Baby, you okay?" he whispered, his concern a warm, familiar comfort against the chill of her memories. Summer turned in his embrace, forcing a convincing smile. "I'm fine." But the slight twitch of Lewis's eyebrow told her he didn't believe her.

The house, usually a sanctuary, now felt like a fragile bubble. Her family, a flurry of worried faces, soon crowded the kitchen, their promises of protection echoing hollowly. "We'll never let him hurt you again," her mum vowed, wiping a stray tear. Summer knew they meant it, but she also knew Clover. He was cunning, intelligent, and insane. He would come back.

Looking at the discarded lilies, a cold resolve settled in Summer's heart. She needed a plan. A real plan. "I have to go to Becca's."

Her dad's voice was stern. "It's not a good idea for you to go out anywhere, Summer." Lewis chimed in, "Why don't you just call her?" But Summer's gaze hardened. "This isn't the type of thing you do over the phone! I just need to be with Becca right now." Their resistance only fueled her determination. "Will you take me or am I going on my own?"