Page 89 (1/2)

“No No No” My fingers fumbled with the lock as I tried to open it

I ran down the stairs An eerily quiet house greeted me Malcolht? He’d lockedthat I didn’t Did I? My stoht Why couldn’t I re?

I was near panicked by the ti outside on the deck He turned when he heard the door open That look I re after I’d burned Seth’s stuff Neither of us spoke He looked tired, like he’d not slept all night

I walked out on the deck He got up froer I stepped toward him He stepped back

He stepped back

I pressed nore the giant boulder in my stomach I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it

“Once you’re ready, I’ll take you home”

Malcolm’s inability to meet my eyes…devastation radiated from him What had I done?

My throat burned inNeeded to say so, but words eluded me

He swirled the cup in his hand, then brought it to his lips and finished off what I guessed to be coffee “I’o first”

I shookout the best way to get inside without co too close toon his path, he headed toward me I didn’t move, but just as he passed by, I reached for his hand I worried he’d pull away or just keep walking He stopped, but didn’t look back at me

“Whwhy did you lock the door?”

Malcoler he took,to say he didn’t, that I had? I silently prayed he’d not say that I couldn’t handle that I couldn’t handle knowing I’d done that to him My stomach ached Blood pulsated in ry drum I needed his would be okay

“So you’d feel safe”

All of the air was knocked froo Why couldn’t I res right I knew I’d freaked out on him, like the first time But worse With the way he acted, whatever happened was ato talk about it That was not a good sign My entire body felt heavy I stared blankly at the trees until my vision blurred