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“I can’t do that, Cade”

“Then I’ll just make sure it happens You won’t be able to protect him”

Buckman put a hand on my shoulder “One step at a time, son”

I turned and storine, roared off into the

I was going to find out who killed Isaac

CADE

You can see theto be the sa behind their eyes as they try to make sense of what they’ve just heard What does this mean for me? Hoill life be from this moment on? When I pulled up to Cherry and Isaac’s little house just out of town, Buck on her door

I roared up the driveway and came to a quick halt

Cherry answered the door and took one look at Buckainst his chest, as he said the words that would change her life forever

Isaac was dead

I ran across the laard her I saw her frown Saw her shake her head as if to say, no, you’re wrong Saw her knees go weak and the dazed look on her face as she fell against the door

I climbed the porch steps two at a time, brushed past Buckman and wrapped my arms around her

“It’s not true,” she said desperately “Tell hi”

I held her tightly against my chest “I’m so sorry, Cherry”

She pushedthis? He’s alive”

She fled to the kitchen and picked up her cell phone fro as she dialed Isaac’s number

“He was picking up pie forthe call when nobody answered, then quickly redialing Somewhere in the blurry depths ofunanswered in the countyho him chili for dinner” Her whole body trehts frantically bounced all over the place Her body already kneas gone but there was still a tiny shred in her mind that refused to believe it “He likes the way I arden”

I crossed the rooently took the phone froain There was no need for words Her o of the last scrap of hope and the terrible acceptance sank in She weakened against me and slowly collapsed to the floor

“Her sister Ashlee lives three doors down,” I said to Bucket her”

When Buckuided Cherry to her feet and led her over to the couch