Victor Cunningham’s Dark Secret?
Nine Things You Need to Know about Alicia Angelos’s Unsolved Murder
51
Carter
“And that’s it,” said Kick It Carter while clips from the show playedin the background. “The sordid tale ofThe Escape Game, season five. Now, Clue Masters, I have a big request to ask of you.”
The avatar swiped her hand, changing the screen to a picture of Beck in his blue lab coat. “We at the Domain have started a fundraiser for Beck Matheson, who remains in critical condition. The medical bills are piling up, and any help you can give would be beyond appreciated. Thanks for sending your love and support. I’m Kick It Carter—still alive, still kicking, still solving!” She threw a peace sign at the camera and the video ended.
Carter let out a long breath. That had takenforeverto edit.
As she started to upload the video, there was a knock at the door. Her parents stood on the threshold, continuing to pretend they weren’t completely freaked out by the fact their daughter had nearly died last week. They’d been overbearing since she came home, but after watching Adi get shot at by his own mother, Carter wasn’t going to complain about a little overprotectiveness.
“I’m heading to the store,” her dad said. He was dressed to the nines in a checkered blazer and cashmere scarf, the cream a contrast against his dark brown skin. It was overkill for a trip to the store, but that was her dad. “Thought I’d pick up some pie for later.”
“Is there anything else you need?” her mom added, her tone thick with worry. She, on the other hand, was in a fluffy robe and slippers, her Irish orange curls a flurry.
Carter thought of the poem Adi had quoted for her at the villa, which she’d been compelled to look up later. Lord Byron.
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes
Adi hadn’t met her parents, but boy, was he astute when he wanted to be.
Carter shook her head. “I’m good. Thanks.” She proved it with a thumbs-up that was as fake as her avatar.
Having completed their hourly check-in, they left, though reluctantly. Carter grabbed her phone again. Over the last few days, she’d been inundated with messages on the Domain. She’d even received a thank-you from Vera, of all people, who’d been released from the hospital after being treated for a dislocated shoulder and nonfatal bullet wound.
There’d been a lot of activity on the site in general, including a post from Elijah. He’d written an anguished poem about lost love and saying goodbye. At the end, he’d mentioned taking some time to find a new purpose in life, then promptly shut down his Domain account.
Sierra and Adi had been quiet, though. Carter tried not to let it bother her. They’d been through a lot, and she understood if they needed time to recalibrate. She trusted they would reach out to her when the time was right.
But that confidence didn’t protect her from the swell of loneliness that got bigger each day. She’d finally found her people, and yet she felt more alone than ever.
Still scrolling through the Domain, a stream of comments caught her eye.
Fitzy4Ever818299: Fitzy x Carter was my OTP! The way he looked at her during the studio tour?! YOU GUYZ, my heart is breaking!! [INSERT EMOZI]
OmegaPuzzler: I didn’t get the Fitzy/Carter thing. He could have any girl he wants, and he picked her? Ummm no. But now I know he was just messing with her? OK that tracks
KaPowPow: What is wrong with you? Carter is a hero
OmegaPuzzler: Hero, yes. Awkward loser with an annoying laugh? Also yes. Just saying—not Fitzy’s type
KaPowPow: She’s not his type bc HE IS A PSYCHOPATH
OmegaPuzzler: to each their own
Insides roiling, Carter tossed the phone aside. Beck would have told her to ignore the haters, but that was hard to do. Especially when they were right.
I did always think that cartoon of yours was pretty hot, even if the real you leaves something to be desired.
Shuddering, Carter glanced in the mirror. The red had started to grow out of her curls, leaving a strip of natural black roots. Her nose was still slightly swollen from when Symphony had kicked her. She was wearing frumpy pajama pants and her brand-new helsings slay! T-shirt, already christened with a spaghetti sauce stain.
There had been a time on the show when she’d thought maybe she could become as sophisticated as her alter ego. With her friends behind her, she’d begun to feel invincible.
