Page 71 (1/2)

Chris studies Adam for a minute and then nods I can’t tell if he’s still suspicious of Ada moment of tense silence until Trent bundles up all his trash “We still have a few hours to kill,” he says “We should check out the rides I want to get on that new roller coaster”

“I’etting up froo with you”

Chris se a look that says they know exactly what’s going on But they’re wrong I’ to find the spot where I’ll die

15:43

Dark waves hit the shore, lit by faint hts from the pier My shoes sink into the sand as I start toward the first lifeguard tower It would be romantic except I walk a bit too quickly, just a step or two in front of Ada to keep up

“This way” My pace increases with each toe pass Each step beco

By the third tower, Ada hard “What’s the rush?”

This is probably not what he expected when he said he wanted to walk on the beach withto do this alone “I just want to look at sohts froray, the water pitch-black

Adam catches up tome off somewhere so you can have your ith me?”

I can’t help but smile “Yeah, you’d like that”

“Veryhiht of the fifth lifeguard tower and I slow,around us is sand Far at the back of the beach is an e stars All I hear are the waves and Ada besidehere I don’t knohat I expected Some clue to tell me why my life will end here Some explanation A puzzle piece But I’ot here