Page 86

Los Angeles Alano

11:54 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)

This isn’t the end.

Those were Andrea Donahue’s final words before being escorted out of Death-Cast—her final threat. I shouldn’t have underestimated

a woman who has nothing left to lose and everything to gain by aligning with Carson Dunst and the Death Guard.

Paz mutes the TV. “What bullshit.”

Andrea’s diabolical speech blended facts with fiction, but there were indeed facts, which has me wondering if there’s any

truth behind this Death-Cast informant. Could my father have truly upset another herald so much that they’re now feeding information

to Andrea to destroy Death-Cast from within? But who? Roah Wetherholt, another senior employee who started at the company

alongside Andrea? What about a new and young herald like eighteen-year-old Fausto Flores? Could he have been swayed or bribed

or even inspired to betray Death-Cast after the threats my father made to protect me?

For the first time, I truly feel guilty that I’m not returning to New York because I can’t help but feel like everything here is my fault.

I didn’t plan on spending my day dealing with Death-Cast affairs, but it’s the least I can do considering this is also my

mess to clean up.

I call my father, but it goes straight to voice mail. I try my mother and can’t reach her either. I try my father’s office

line, text him, and call his cell again. Nothing. I send a text to Agent Andrade, and he confirms my parents are alive and

well, just occupied. I’m sure my mother will return my call the moment she’s available. My father, on the other hand, might

never speak to me again.