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Prologue Rain

Age fifteen—

“You sure we won’t get caught?” Katrina asked, tugging her jacket tighter around her pirate costume.

It was cold out tonight but not freezing. If she wasn’t so tiny, she’d be warmer.

“Nah. No one will be home until much later.” I shrugged off my coat and draped it over her shoulders. “Besides, it’s Beggar’s Night. Don’t you wanna play games and eat some candy?”

I mowed twenty lawns for enough money for us to sneak out and hit the carnival. I’d be pissed if we didn’t go.

“I didn’t dress up as Super Zombie for nothing.”

She giggled, and her teeth finally stopped chattering. “Perfect costume. Horror meets hero.”

“Exactly.”

“LikeThe Princess Bridein the Fire Swamp.”

“Yeah.”

I reached for Katrina’s hand and held it, leading her along the streets filled with kids in costumes. She kept wanting to pause and stop for candy, but I had this evening all planned. We had to hurry.

“I’ve got tickets,” I reminded her. “We’re going to have a ton of fun.”

It took forever for us to walk to the edge of town and enter the carnival, but you couldn’t miss it if you tried. All the lights, loud machines, flashing signs, the whirring and shouts that accompanied the games, and the acts peddling to the attendees eager to gain butts in seats for the entertainment.

The first place I wanted to go was the Ferris wheel. “Come on!”

Katrina ran to keep up with me as I handed over our tickets, laughing as I had to help her climb into the seat of the pod. It swung as we entered, and I strapped us in, excited to see the carnival from the top.

“Is it super high?” she asked, nibbling on her bottom lip.

“Don’t be scared. I’m here. I won’t let you fall out.”

She reached for my hand, but I slid my arm around her instead, tucking her close to me. She stayed warmer that way. Plus, she could see everything without being afraid of slipping out and falling to her death.

“Isn’t it pretty?” I asked when we finally reached the top.

“It’s breathtaking.”

We could see the entire carnival from here. Every ride. All the food vendors. The games.

Katrina began pointing to things. Her bottom wiggled in the seat as she gasped. “Cotton candy, Rain!”

“We’ll get some. Popcorn, too.”

She leaned over and kissed my cheek. “You’re the best!”

“Anything for you.” I meant it. Katrina and I weren’t related by blood, but we were family. As close as it got without sharing DNA.

But lately, I started to notice how pretty and sweet she was, and even her smile made my heart begin to race. It was weird.

I tried not to think of her like that as we rocked in our cabin. From this view, everything seemed so small. The world didn’t feel like it was caving in.

“Rain?”

“Yeah?” I asked, not looking at her.