"That's amazing!"
"Yeah, means more travel though. Maybe a move eventually." Liam's voice went quiet. "Dad mentioned Denver or Phoenix as possibilities."
My stomach dropped. "You'd move?"
"Not if I can help it." He stopped at the property line between our houses, hands shoved in his pockets. "I like it here."
"Good. Because I'd hunt you down if you tried to leave."
He smiled, that soft one that was just for me. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. You're stuck with me, Walker. Better get used to it."
For a moment, we just stood there, the space between us feeling charged with something I didn't have words for yet. Then my dad's porch light flicked on—the universal parent signal for "get inside."
"See you tomorrow," I said, backing toward my door. "Bus stop at seven-fifteen?"
"I'll bring coffee."
"My hero."
I watched him walk back to his house, then headed inside. Mom was watching TV, Dad already in his office working on some case—he was a public defender, always bringing work home.
"Good night at the Walkers'?" Mom asked.
"Sophia destroyed us at Uno. Again."
"That kid's scary smart."
I kissed her goodnight and headed upstairs. Took a quick shower, put on pajamas, and was just crawling into bed when I heard it.
Screams.
High and sharp, cutting through the humid night like broken glass. Then gunshots—two quick pops that I felt more than heard, like someone had punched holes through the world.
I shot out of bed, my heart hammering. "Mom? Dad?"
More screams. Sophia's voice. Oh God, that was Sophia screaming.
I scrambled out of bed, legs shaking, and went to my window. There were people running in the Walkers’ yard, dressed in all black. I let go of the windowsill as if it burned, and my stomach dropped to the floor.
"Stephanie, get away from there!" Mom appeared in my doorway, her face pale.
I jumped and spun around. Tears slid down my cheeks, hot and fast. “What happened? What was that, Mom?”
Dad was right behind her, phone already pressed to his ear. “Hello, I believe gunshots just went off in my next-door neighbor's house.”
“Oh my God,” I sobbed.
Mom pulled me into her arms. She was shaking just as badly as I was.
Police sirens wailed to life, already close, getting closer. Red and blue lights started dancing across my bedroom walls."What's happening?" I tried to look past my parents outside, but Dad moved to block my view.
"Stay here." Dad's voice had that tone that brooked no arguments. "Both of you, away from the windows. Now."
But I couldn't help myself. I crept to the side of the window, peering around the curtain. Police cars were everywhere, surrounding the Walker house. Officers with guns drawn. Paramedics running with stretchers—two stretchers. More sirens coming.
My stomach turned to ice. Harrison. Clemmie. Sophia.
