Page 158 of Dare To Fall

How much did Eli tell them? Does his dad know that we were together? That we’ve been dating for a few days? That I’ve been having sex with my stepbrother?

“No, it’s fine.” My voice comes out in a croak. “I … I texted Eli to see where he was, and he told me Kellan had asked to meet him at the chapel.”

***

Forty minutes later, I slip out of the study, emotionally drained and sick to my stomach. The detective had made me go through the events over and over. He wanted to know where Eli had been standing. How Kellan was positioned. If I’d seen Evan. Every word, every single detail, was pulled from my memory until I’d been stuck in the moment. The threat of a panic attack ended the interrogation when Elliot stepped in. Making my way unsteadily along the hallway, I walk up the stairs.

They haven’t found Evan. Where could the bastard be?

The thought plagues me as I head back to my room. Music is blaring out from behind Eli’s door, a heavy rock song where the singer is screaming out the lyrics.

I slam my bedroom door shut and pull my cell out of my pocket to text Miles.

Me: They haven’t located Evan.

He hasn’t answered any of my messages, but I’ve kept on sending them anyway. I continue to type as I drop down onto the bed.

Me: The detective I talked to said he hasn’t been in contact with his dad or any of his friends. How much do you want to bet one of them is lying?

Me: He was the closest to Jace. I wonder if he knows where he is.

I chew on my lip, staring up at the ceiling. Maybe Elliot could tell me where his house is?

Me: I might visit him and ask him.

A text pops up on my screen.

Miles: Bella, please don’t do anything stupid.

It takes me a second to get my emotions under control at seeing a reply from him, finally.

Me: Evan needs to be caught.

Miles: Let the authorities deal with it. Please just drop it. You don’t know what it was like, Bella. Evan is insane. Let it go.

Me: I can’t.

Miles: Promise me you’re not going to do anything?

My fingers hover over the screen, knowing in my heart that I can’t promise him that.

Miles: For fuck’s sake, this isn’t a game! He murdered Zoey and Kellan.

I sigh.

Me: Fine. Okay.

Miles: I’ll text you again soon. I’m not supposed to be talking to anyone from school.

No matter what I’ve promised, I’m not sure I can just sit here. I don’t want to feel helpless anymore. Kellan’s killer is out there somewhere, and someone has to know where he is.

Chapter 107

Eli

‘Outrun Myself’ by Jack Kays is playing through my speakers. I’m standing beneath the shower, the water falling over me in a heated spray. I have one hand braced against the wall, and my tears mingle with the water, washing away down the drain.

I don’t recall feeling this empty, this dead inside, when my mom died. Maybe it’s because I was younger. I don’t know.

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