“Sure thing, skippy! Except not really.” I laughed and walked around it to sit on the couch.“When’s your dad coming back?”
“He should be here in about an hour.” She smiled and sat beside me, but it faded when she saw my frown.“What’s wrong?”
“Everyone’s abandoning me. I haven’t seen Dennis since I came back from my jog this morning and nobody knows where he went, your dad isn’t back yet, you were in class all day, I haven’t seen Sean—”
“Because he insisted on following me to all of my classes,” she interrupted.“The second I was inside the school building, he popped up out of nowhere. I don’t need a babysitter. No one has tried to kill me lately and no one’s attacked you, either.”
“I think it’s cute. He’s worried about you. You should be happy,‘cause I’m sure as hell not going to any classes to protect you.” I laughed as she muttered more complaints.“But I haven’t seen Dennis, I haven’t seen Sean, your dad isn’t even home yet, and Mateo was playing video games the whole morning while I was packing.”
“Why were you packing the entire morning?We didn’t have that much stuff.”
“Okay, fine. I threw everything in our bags for like two minutes and then I was doing jumping jacks and having a dance party in their living room until you came back.” I giggled at the fact she caught me. “That doesn’t change the fact that Dennis disappeared and nobody loves me.”
“Stop being dramatic. He’s probably in your room right now.”
“You think?” I leapt up and ran for the stairs. Maybe she’s right! I haven’t seen him all day and I have no idea where he is and it’s getting really inconvenient, because for some strange reason I’m starting to miss him.“Dennis?” I pushed my door open.
Empty. I thought he’d be on the window seat playing with his lighter but he’s not here. I looked at the ruined comforter instead.
“Fuckin’pyromaniac.” I spun and headed downstairs, going from sad to annoyed. He could at least say bye before leaving forever.
“Are you gonna eat?” Ari looked up as I entered the living room. She had a sandwich in her lap and the tv on. “I know you don’t need to anymore, but I kinda thought you still would, since you love food so much.”
“I can’t. Too excited.” I sat beside her.
“Excited about what?”
“Life! Also, Super Emy doesn’t need food.” I struck a fancy pose.“Only regular Emy eats. Super Emy is mighty and powerful and sustains on her own. I bet I don’t even need blood anymore.”
“How long did you sleep last night?”
“I didn’t,” I said proudly.
Ari considered me for a minute before turning back to the tv.“You took your meds today, right?”
“Yup! Stop asking it’s annoying. It feels so weird being home. I don’t know what’s happening but I kinda miss being at their condo already.”
“Eh, I’m good either way. I’d rather have my dad home.” She stopped flipping channels and landed on the news.
“Three more bodies were discovered in the early hours of this morning. This is following yesterday’s horrific murder of a young man identified as Kiro Hall—”
“Eww.” Ari covered her eyes when they showed another glimpse of theKirocrime scene.“I wish they would stop showing that.”
“Just like every other murder in these newly unfolding cases, all three bodies were drained of blood. Authorities say not a single one shows evidence of previous injury that could explain this anomaly. Autopsies are currently underway. Death tolls are going up rapidly due to the recent increase in crime, bringing the current total to an astounding nine unresolved murders within the past five months. Police suspect this is the work of a serial killer and recommend no one goes—”
I tried to listen while they gave instructions but it’s so hard to stay still. I don’t have time to sit and do nothing.
“Maybe I do need Sean to babysit me. I can kinda see why he’s so paranoid.”
“I’m gonna do laundry.” I hopped up and grabbed my bag.
“Can you throw mine in with yours?”
“Sure thing, skippy!” I actually got her bag this time and carried it with my own.“Do you want me to wash everything in here?”
“Yes, please. And can you separate the colors this time?”
“Nope, too much work. I’m throwing it all in. One big load. They can all be friends and spin together.”
