“Okay, but what about DNA? Fingerprints?”
“If the fire was that bad, it would’ve destroyed everything.”
“You think that’s why they haven’t come after me?”
Lizette didn’t answer. She stood before the window, staring vaguely out to the street.
Emmett walked up behind her. “Lizette?”
She flinched around, spooked. “What?”
Emmett’s tears rushed back. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
“What now?”
“You’re scared of me,” he said. “You think I’m a monster.”
“No I don’t.”
“You’re going to turn me in. I never should have told you!”
“Emmettito, listen to me.” She touched his shoulder, turning himto face her. “You’re my best friend. I love you no matter what you do.” She hesitated, swallowed. “I’ll be honest, this is a lot to take in. The idea of you eating a guy is pretty fucking foul. I mean of all the crazy diets you’ve done over the years, this is by far the worst one.”
“Stop,” he spluttered. “It’s not a joke.”
“I know. I know. Especially if this is… something you can’t control.” A whisper of unease glimmered behind her eyes.
Emmett noticed now how much space she had left between them.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think maybe it’s best if I stay at Mando’s, just for a few nights—”
“No, please,” said Emmett desperately.
Her hands pulled away as he tried to grab them. It felt like a tiny knife to his heart.
“I’d never hurt you,” he pleaded. “You have to know that.”
“I know you’d never do anything on purpose—”
“No. It doesn’t work like that, I don’t think. That guy, and the Future Makers lady—they were assholes. Do you remember all the stuff they said to me? I don’t think that’s a coincidence.”
“So you only eat people who insult you?”
“I don’t know,” Emmett said, his voice breaking. “I don’t know, I—”
“Hey.” This time it was Lizette who took his hands in hers, drawing him into her dark-brown gaze. “Mírame.”
“What?”
“I believe you.”
“No, you don’t. I’ve killed people.”
“It sounds like they both deserved it. I mean, I probably wouldn’t have started with murder. Maybe broken their kneecaps.”
“Stop trying to make me laugh,” he said, halfway between a chuckle and a sob.
“I’m so serious. I’m your homegirl, your ride-or-die. You know that. If you go down, we’re going down together.”
