I slide it out, unfold it, and my whimper freezes in the night air.
For when you’re ready.
- Hopefully Yours.
twenty-nine
PRESENT DAY
KATE
The box plummets back to the porch as I scramble to fit my key in the lock. A car door slams down the road, and a small cry flies out of me until the lock twists.
I barge into the condo. Slamming the door shut, I press my back against it.
The living room is quiet. Dark. No indication of life or serial killers.
I’m a petrified statue with my ear against the wood, straining to hear any approaching footsteps. Five minutes pass before I decide that whoever slammed their door probably lives down the street and doesn’t care that I’mthisclose to peeing my pants.
Stealing through the darkness, I yank my curtains closed. My hand clutches my pepper spray and I flip it open, then I click each light switch and check every closet. But my sigh of relief freezes in my lungs when I realize that I never checked the garage.
I sprint toward it and fling open the side door.
It is also empty.
I’m utterly alone.
H.Y. knows where I live. They either have the access code to the gates or took advantage of them glitching.
A thump sounds through the wall Mrs. Kovolchuk and I share,sending me into a crouch by a kitchen cabinet. I don’t think I’ve ever been so terrified in my life. A whimper escapes, and my eyes fill with hot tears.
Night presses down on me, making my exhausted eyes sting even more, but there’s no way I’ll be able to sleep here by myself.
So I dial Liza’s number. “Pick up.” I plead with each whisper.
She doesn’t, and her cheery voicemail only makes an ache smart in my hammering chest. I shoot her a text.
KATE: You coming home tonight?
LIZA: So sorry! I’m in a late movie and I wasn’t able to answer your call. No, I’m staying with Cam.
I know she’d come home if I asked her to. But like Amantha, Liza has so much going on. Wedding planning with my mother is no easy feat, and her residency has been kicking her butt. Can I really throw in a paranoid sister on top of all that?
LIZA: Oh, I forgot to ask. You coming to the Lunar New Year parade tomorrow?
KATE: I’ll come.
LIZA: Oh, goodie. K, love you!
KATE: Love you, too.
I bite my lip, fingers stalling on Amantha’s number next. Her home is farther away, but I know she wouldn’t mind if I crashed there. Anthony is staying at Ryan’s this weekend, so I could probably use his room.
But then she’d ask why I needed to, and I can’t burden her with this either.
I take a deep breath. The condo has an alarm system. The doors and windows are locked.
I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.
