Chapter 21

Chloe’s POV

The phone felt heavier than it should have.

I stared at the screen for a long time before answering. I knew it was Hilda before I even saw her name. She had been calling more often since the night I disappeared. The first call had been full of panic. This one would be different.

This one would be sharper. I took a deep breath and answered. “Hi, Hil.”

“Chloe,” she said immediately. “Where are you?”

Her voice was calm, but I knew her too well. That calm meant she was holding something back.

“I told you,” I said softly. “I am fine.”

“That was yesterday,” she replied. “And you said it very fast. You did not even let me ask questions.”

I walked slowly across the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. The room was quiet except for my breathing.

“I was tired,” I said. “Everything happened so quickly.”

“Chloe,” Hilda said. “Look at me. No, listen to me. You do not just disappear. You do not leave your phone behi