Page 53

Back out into the cold air, the quiet was deafening. Alex got into his car and sat behind the wheel for a beat, engine idling. The vials. The blood. Basa’s scrubbed-clean lab. Luis. None of it added up, and all of it stank.

“Um,” Matt broke the awkward silence as Alex swerved the car out onto the main road, “is it okay if you can take me home?”

Alex scoffed. “Fuck no.”

“Then where—”

“Back at the shop. I gotta tell Hal you’re grounded. Again.”

Matt’s eyes widened. “Again?!” he wailed as Alex floored the Challenger onto the freeway.

11

Bleach

Hal: group chat?

Robin: yup!!

Hal: cool cool

Hal: also where’s @Matt

Augs: wit me

Hal: y??

Augs: grounded

Augs: imma bring him to u

Hal: k, @Ken take the register

Ken: why?

Hal: cause i said so

Ken: fine

Hal: @Augs yall find anything about the drug

Augs: yes and no

Augs: ill tell yall later

Augs: garage @ 1200

Kana: no do it later

Augs: y

Kana: I’m having a hair emergency

Augs: wats wrong wit yo hair

Hal: Connor’s having a hair appointment with her

Hal: so its just me