Chapter 7

Abby

I woke before dawn in a room that wasn’t mine.

For one disoriented second, I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. Then I saw my bag beside the dresser.

Chloe’s house. Right.

It was my second morning here. Yesterday had passed in a blur of sleep, food I barely tasted, and Chloe carefully not asking too many questions.

At least I had slept. Not well, but enough that my body no longer felt as though it might collapse beneath me.

Diana stirred quietly.

Are you awake?

I never really slept. Her voice was still distant.

Outside, the world was still dark. A thin line of light showed beneath the curtains, and the house remained silent. Chloe and her parents wouldn’t wake for another hour.

I could have stayed in bed. Instead, I pushed the covers away.

My body felt better than it had two days before. The scratches on my forearm barely hurt anymore. Four thin red lines remained where Sloane’s nails had caug