Page 35 (2/2)

The ride ho soothing circles on the back of it while he drove I sat there stewing inside, plotting and planning on what I was going to do to her toht, but I would have to settle for tomorrow instead When we pulled up outside ood thing though because I wasn’t ready to say the words about Chester yet, it was still too raw Luke openedthe front door I chewed on h I kneasn’t there, I still looked up the hallaiting for Chester to skip around the corner yipping excitedly I wasn’t used to cohed as he flicked on the lights and slipped his aro sit down and then I’llWhat ti the side of ed "I don’t know He won’t be too late," Idown on the sofa

Luke sat next tome close to his side as his hand stroked acrossabout earlier?" he asked quietly

I nodded and pressed into hin that soainston my notebook, the letters typed on red paper, and the flowers that I initially thought were from him His body stiffened when I told him that the floere the same type as what someone had left next to Chester in the back yard His jaas tight; his fingers were digging into er show I kneould be angry, he was almost as protective over ed sadly "See, he was poisoned How else can you explain that he ate soulped loudly, looking a little lost for words as he shook his head slowly

I sniffed, knowing I needed to tell hiot a box on Saturday too It had a flower in there and a teddy bear that had been mutilated The note in with it said I was next," I whispered "Obviously she decided to hurt Chester instead and punish me that way"

Luke’s mouth dropped open as he jerked in his seat "Someone sent you a mutilated teddy bear and a death threat? Did you call the police? Christ, Maisie! What the hell did your dad say?" he ranted, standing up and looking down atdown into my seat because of the annoyance I could see on his face It was then that I realised that I’d been incredibly stupid If I’d called the police when I got the box, maybe then the police would have dealt with it and then Chester wouldn’t be fighting for his life I’d buriedworse

"I-I didn’t tellof expletives, gripping his hands into his hair "At the ti to explainnoise in his throat "You didn’t think it was a big deal? So you notes and stuff is a big freaking deal, Maisie!" he chastised

I nodded,I didn’t knohat to say There was no way I could hed and plopped down next tohis arm around my shoulders "Look, sorry, I shouldn’t have shouted at you, but you should have told someone You could have at least toldyou stuff?" he asked His eyes searched mine and I could almost see the hurt there that I’d not confided in hietically "I should have, I’ht she was trying to get a reaction froh about it with her friends"

His frown deepened "Why do you keep saying she? Who exactly do you think is sending you stuff?"

"Sandy!" I alry

Luke burst out laughing as he looked at me like I’d lost the plot "Sandy? Seriously?" he scoffed, shaking his head in amusement

I frowned and pushed his arm off of me "Yes her! This all started after the party, when you two…" I sed loudly, unable to say the words He squeezed his eyes shut and sighed sadly; obviously thinking about what he’d done again "It’s her She’s a witch, and she’s doing this now because I eood lared at hiain like he did after I’d fought with her at school