He sends another immediately.
FINN:
Should we call her?
I exhale sharply through my nose.
KAEL:
No.Not yet.
She said she needed space.We give her five minutes.
I lock my door and take the stairs instead of the elevator.I don’t like the way elevators slow you down.I don’t like waiting when I feel like running.
My phone vibrates again.
ATLAS:
Still nothing.
Kael—
I reply before he spirals.
KAEL:
Don’t move.
I’m on my way.
I hit the street.
Cold air slaps me across the face.
Boston feels wrong tonight.Too still.
Traffic hums but doesn’t move.
People talk but I can’t hear words.
Lights flicker in windows like Morse code messages I can’t translate.
Something’s off.
I feel it in my teeth.
***
The SUV engine roarsthe second I turn the key.I don’t even remember getting into it.I don’t remember buckling my seatbelt.I don’t remember making the turn onto Wren’s street.
I just know the world narrows to a single point:
Her window.
Third floor.
Second from the left.
