Keep telling yourself that. Everyone knows where everyone lives in Songbird Ridge.
I turn the box over and examine it. Nothing gives a clue what might be inside.
The chill returns, down to my bones.
I can’t deal with this now. Going to lie down.
Ari
Aren’t you curious what it is?
No. If it’s not from someone I know, then I don’t care.
Riley
I appreciate this level of detachment.
Ari
Yeah, but let us know what it is when you inevitably wake up at 3 a.m. and tear it open.
Sure. Goodnight.
I’m too cranky to keep up with the group chat or deal with an unknown parcel.
I leave the package on the porch and go inside.
Whatever is in there can wait. Whoever is out there watching me, waiting for me to open it, can suffer.
If this is a game, I’m not playing along.
I’m starting to feel even sicker than I felt when I thought I saw Ewan that night about a month ago.
Chapter
Three
One monthearlier
Ewan
“She can’t see you, man.” Rowdy’s eyes are sympathetic, but his stance is unyielding.
Maddie’s heart monitor beeps on the other side of the door. Steady and reassuring.
But Rowdy, who was once my best friend, is not going to let me go in there.
“I just want to make sure she’s okay,” I say.
Rowdy gestures down the hall. “Come on, let’s talk in there.”
I follow him to the vending area, along with another guy who’s with him.
That guy seems reluctant to leave Maddie’s room. “She needs snacks and electrolytes,” the guy says, seemingly talking to himself.
A prickle of jealousy raises the hairs on my neck when I realize I saw that guy at the dance earlier tonight. He was the one who carried Maddie off the stage before I could get to her.
“Who’s this guy?” I ask Rowdy, gesturing with my thumb.
