Page 62 of Queen’s Gambit

“Thank you. I don’t know if you realize how much I appreciate your friendship, but I love you.”

“I love you, too. Now call Eddie. I’m sure he’s worried sick.”

Luckily, I had memorized Eddie’s number when I was thirteen and quickly sent him a text.

Y: Eddie, it’s me. I was able to get my hands on a phone.

E: Ana, oh my god. Are you okay?

Y: I’m…no, I’m not. I don’t want to go back to living this life. I’m trapped, and all day, I fantasize about escaping and running away.

E: I love you.

Tears filled my eyes at his words, but for the first time since I was forced to leave Wayward, my mind calmed, and the sharp pain lodged in my chest eased.

Y: I love you more.

E: Impossible.

Smiling, I slid up my bed and crawled under the covers as my tears hit the pillow.

Y: What are we going to do?

E: Your father called me today, so that’s a start.

Y: He did? I can’t imagine him bothering, to be honest.

E: I didn’t give him much choice. I was leaving two messages a day.

Giggling, I closed my eyes and pictured him lying beside me. The image of him was as sharp and real as if he was in the room.

Y: What did he say?

E: I’m hopeful, but relationships must be repaired and trust rebuilt.

Y: Did you bury Lawrence?

E: I wanted to, and if I ever see him again, I just might. Thankfully the school is making him finish out the year online.

Y: That’s good. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you what happened. I thought I was protecting us.

E: I know. There is something else you should know.

Y: I’m not sure I like the sound of that.

E: There’s another person in play. It was Christov Ivankov who called your father. Lawrence just gave him the information.

“Christov….” I said the name out loud but could only vaguely picture his face.

Y: Why would someone I hardly know want to hurt me?

E: He doesn’t care about you. He wants to hurt me. He’s Russian, though, so maybe you can find out more. Tell me what I’m up against.

Y: You think he wants to marry me?

E: I think he would just to spite me.

Y: Why are people so cruel?