“And Mrs. Ward can’t leave the town. Not anymore.” Jen shot her a quick glance. “Why not?” “This town…” Riya seemed to be struggling to put her thoughts into words. “It’s like it plants hooks in you. And the longer you live here, the more hooks start to embed themselves, and if you try to pull free you’ll only hurt yourself. If people are taken away from the town—if they’re forced to leave their homes when they’re not ready—they don’t usually make it. Most patients who are transported to hospitals or care facilities don’t live past six months.”
