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‘Hey’

I look up as I’h the corridors below Ice and see Miller walking towards me Lucky for him, I haven’t even the capacity to lob a few choice words at hiive him a really? look, and he backs down iirl’

‘I am’ I feel like all life has been sucked out of y to crawl up his body and cling to hi every lily, turning and trudging back the way he ca since I’ve heard your laugh,’ he says quietly as he lets us into his office and transports me to his couch

‘There’s notto differ,’ he disagrees, taking us down to the squidgy leather, me beneath his, Olivia Everything will be all right’

I s that by fixing proble others I also consider the fact that Miller can’tat ?’ he asks

I shakeJust Miller ‘I’ood’ He reaches behind his fro to reo limp and I puddle beneath him in a useless heap ‘Take a nap’ His lipshis suit into place before he offers a small smile and strides away

‘Miller?’

He stops at the door and pivots slowly on his expensive shoes until his stoic expression greets me

‘Find another way’ I don’t need to elaborate

He nods slowly but unconvincingly Then he leaves

My eyes are incredibly heavy I struggle to keep them open, and as soon as they close, Nan’s face pops into ain I need to check in Rolling ontoto

‘Hello?’

My brow bunches in response to the strange voice on the other end of the line, and I take a quick glimpse of my screen to see if I’ve accidently called so I haven’t at all I take my phone back tothisup on the couch before I knohat’s happened, and I’ a split second after that That voice My e of him His scarred face, his thin lips, his eyes that harbour all kinds of evil

Charlie

Chapter 20

‘What are you doing there?’ The blood drains fro exercises, which I know daht-headed

‘Well, our lovely chat was cut short earlier, so I thought I’d drop by’ Iciness oozes frorand er on her’ I start for the door, energy and purpose blocking hs, a cold, evil laugh ‘Why would I ever want to harcorridors of Ice’s basement That’s a serious question, and it has an answer ‘Because it’ll destroyirl, Olivia,’ he says, and then I hear soround Nan Her chirpy voice stalls my escape and I come to a stop at the top of the stairs,are preventing‘Excusethe phone to his chest ‘Two sugars, Mrs Taylor,’ he says cheerfully ‘But, please, take a seat You shouldn’t be exerting yourself I’ll see to it’

He’s back on the line, breathing hard, as if to telleverything holy to keep theuilt She isn’t even aware of the danger I’ve put her in There she is, ars the bastard takes, totally oblivious ‘Should I ask her tomy feet back into action I run for the exit of Ice ‘I’ll see you soon, Olivia’ He hangs up andthroughthe doors openand get nowhere ‘Open!’ I pull repeatedly,open!’

‘Olivia!’ Miller’s worried, stricken tone punches holes in ive up I yank and pull, ed attempts to open the stupid doors

‘Why won’t they open?’ I shout, now shaking the through theet to Nan