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CHAPTER

SIX

ERIN

“You’re coming straight home after the concert,” Dad orders as he drops me off outside the academy. “Remember, I’ll be watching.”

I nod solemnly. The last few days have passed in a blur.

Aside from practicing piano and joining my family for dinner, I’ve done little else.

Dad confiscated my phone as punishment and insists on driving me to and from school until further notice.

He removed the television in my room, and I’m only allowed to use my laptop for schoolwork—anything fun is blocked by strict parental controls.

He needn’t worry about me breaking his rules anymore, though.

I’ll do anything to make sure I don’t return to Sunnycrest.

Dad’s blazing stare torches my back until I pass through the doors and find respite in the hallway.

Mia launches herself at me as soon as she sees me, almost knocking me sideways.

“Erin!” She hugs me tightly. “I’ve been calling you all weekend. Your dad wouldn’t let me inside the house when I came to visit. Is everything okay?”

“Sorry, I’ve not been ignoring you,” I say. “Dad took my phone.”

“Someone said he showed up at the party,” Mia says, pulling away from our hug. Her eyes soften with pity, guilt playing on her lips. “How bad was it?”

I shrug, playing it down. Even though I trust Mia, I can’t tell her what happened, especially when three psychopaths are involved. “Pretty much what you’d expect,” I lie. “No phone for a week. Rides to and from school. I’m basically grounded for the rest of my life.”

“I’m so sorry,” she says, falling into step by my side as we make our way to our lockers. “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have pushed you into going to the party.”

“Don’t blame yourself,” I say, feigning a smile. “I had fun.”

“How did your dad even find out where you were?” she asks. “Is he tracking you or something?”

I shrug again. It doesn’t matter. “He has a way of finding out things.”

Mia wouldn’t understand. Her mom is so relaxed. She has no curfew or rules. I can’t imagine having that level of freedom.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Mia looks at me with concern and loosens my tie. “You seem a little on edge.”

“I’m fine,” I say. “It was an intense weekend, and I’ve got a lot on my mind. That’s all.”

She frowns but doesn’t probe me further, for now at least.

“Your hair looks different,” she comments. “Did you get layers?”

To balance out my hair after discovering the missing strand, I cut the other side to match, giving me choppy layers at the front. It’s a little lopsided, but my waves disguised it enough for Mom not to notice.

“I fancied a change,” I say, stroking the end of the strand Two cut. “I better go or I’ll be late for English.”

“I’ll catch you at lunch,” she says.

“Actually, I’m rehearsing with Mr. Meyer, but I’ll catch you later,” I say, making a hasty retreat before she asks more questions I’m not ready to answer.

I stop at my locker to grab my books. When I slam the door shut, I jump out of my skin.

Everything falls from my hands, sending papers and pens flying everywhere.

Nate, who was leaning against the locker next to mine, kneels to help gather them up.

He’s wearing his school football jersey with purple sleeves and a white body.

“Shit, sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean to make you jump.”

“It’s o-okay,” I stammer, mentally scolding myself for being such a socially awkward mess.

We reach for the same piece of paper, and our hands brush. I flinch as if he electrocuted me. A man’s touch reminds me of One and how he licked my face. His tongue was pointed with possessive intent, eager to claim me. My cheeks redden as I quickly gather the rest of my belongings and stand.

“Here.” Nate passes me the books he collected, flashing a perfect, apologetic smile. “I’ll walk you to class.”

I nudge my head at the door opposite. “I think I’ll make it without dropping anything.”

“It was good to see you on Friday night,” he says. “I heard your dad showed up?”

I groan. “Does everyone know?”

If the ground could swallow me up, that’d be great. I’ll forever be known as the girl whose dad dragged her home from a party like a pathetic loser.

“Word travels fast,” he says. “Your folks are strict, huh?”

That’s one way to put it.

“My dad’s protective,” I say. I shouldn’t defend him, especially after what he did, but it’s second nature now. “Sarah’s disappearance was hard on him. On all of us.”

“Fuck, sorry, of course. I didn’t think…

” Nate runs his hand through his hair. “It’s nice he looks out for you.

All my dad cares about is how I perform on the football field.

It sucks you had to leave the party so early, though.

I was hoping we’d get to spend more time together. How about a rain check?”

Behind us, a group of girls watch our interaction with intense interest. Lindsay Polar—Nate’s not-ex-girlfriend, because he ‘doesn’t date’, but the girl he’s hooked up with the most—is one of them.

Lindsay’s the head cheerleader and looks exactly how you’d imagine a stereotypical blonde pom-pom wielder: big boobs, skinny waist, perfect tan, and drop-dead gorgeous.

After being with her, I don’t understand why Nate would show any interest in me.

From the glares she and her friends are shooting in my direction, she doesn’t either.

“Maybe,” I say, managing a tight-lipped smile and swerving around him to get to class.

“Did you hear she threw herself at Nate at Theobald’s party?” Lindsay says, making sure she’s loud enough for me to overhear. “It’s pathetic. Look, she’s practically stalking him now. Talk about obsessed!”

I ignore the giggling and keep my expression blank. Correcting them will achieve nothing. Besides, it only reaffirms why I’ve always kept my friendship circle small. Apart from Mia and a few other musicians, I avoid social interactions like the plague.

Safely away from Lindsay, I find my usual desk, right at the back of the class by the window. I carefully take out my book and line up my highlighter pens, ready to absorb myself in a Shakespeare play. A tragedy will help distract me from my problems.

Ms. Chi, our teacher, floats in on the bell, swishing her long-sleeved patchwork dress.

She’s my favorite teacher. Unlike the others, she respects my right to stay silent and doesn’t put me on the spot to answer questions, even when she knows I know I’ll get them right.

Usually, she’s in a good mood, but this morning, her expression is troubled.

“Silence, class!” she barks. Everyone sits straighter in their seats, taken aback at her sudden loudness. “The principal has an announcement.”

Seconds later, a jingle echoes over the PA system. Usually, morning announcements take a few minutes. They include a quick rundown of sporting fixtures and club updates, read by a member of the school newspaper society. However, today, Principal Wire’s voice fills the halls.

Principal Wire is a friend of my father’s, who also sits on the town council. He’s a serious man, well respected in the community, and he takes the academy’s reputation very seriously.

“All students must report to the main auditorium for an emergency assembly immediately,” Principal Wire says. “Teachers, accompany your students.”

Everyone looks around in confusion. An emergency assembly has only been called once before, during my first week.

My stomach rolls at the memory. He and the sheriff gathered all the students to request they come forward, if they had any information on Sarah’s disappearance.

Although Sarah never studied here, the sheriff thought visiting all high schools within a twenty-mile radius may be helpful.

Needless to say, it gleaned nothing useful.

Other students make the same connection as their heads swivel to look at me.

Sarah’s disappearance sets me apart from the others.

People don’t want to associate with me. I’m an unfortunate reminder that bad things can happen, no matter how rich or well-positioned your family is.

“Come on, class,” Ms. Chi chides everyone. “Form an orderly line.”

Whispered rumors fly through the halls as I join the crowd.

Nate appears beside me. “What do you think happened?”

Wherever I go, he seems to pop up. Whilst I’m flattered by his attention, he’s ruining my attempt to meld into the background.

“No idea,” I say, keeping my gaze forward.

“Some people are saying someone broke into the principal’s office to steal exam papers.”

“I don’t think they’d break into the office for those,” I say. “Besides, exams aren’t for another few months. The papers don’t get shipped that early, do they?”

Nate reels off various theories he’s heard during the last few minutes as we head into the auditorium. I opt to sit at the end of an aisle, an easy position to make a quick getaway.

“Well, shit…” Nate mutters. “This can’t be good.”

I follow Nate’s gaze to see Sheriff Brady talking with Principal Wire on the stage in hushed tones.

Principal Wire looks like he’s aged ten years overnight, his wrinkles more pronounced than usual.

The excited chatter becomes more subdued as the chairs fill up.

Four police officers guard each of the doors around the edge of the room. What’s happening?

Principal Wire takes the podium and taps the microphone twice, causing a silence to descend.

“Students, I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve gathered you here today,” he says. “We’ve received some alarming news that myself, the governors, and the sheriff’s office consider necessary to share for your safety. Please listen closely.”

He passes the microphone to Sheriff Brady. Sheriff Brady has held his position in the county for as long as I remember. He’s as short as he is wide, with a gray handlebar mustache and red cheeks.