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“Doesn’t seem like she’s enjoying anything,” Brynn bites back.

“You know what I mean. And you know this won’t last much longer, right, P? Any minute now, the parentals will notice you’re M.I.A., and will most definitely send the bloodhounds out searching. Whatever Sutton did can’t be half as bad as having all of them on your ass, in your business, asking a million questions, at the same time. So why not just meet this thing with Sutton head-on? Talk to him. Scream at him. Fucking sign language. Do something. Besides running from it, that is.”

That does it. My vow of silence is over. “Running?” I shriek, throwing the covers off and sitting up. “I’ve barely moved, in days! I’d be doing one helluva job running, if I was… since you three caught up to me. And I am doing something, I’m thinking. Yes, believe it or not, I finally found something worth thinking about, before going off half-cocked. Now please, just, just leave me alone.”

“You want us to leave, we’ll leave. We came to make sure you were okay, still breathing, not waste our time trying to talk some sense into that thick head of yours. But don’t say I didn’t warn ya; we won’t be the last of your visitors.”

He’s right again… gotta figure out a plan before the rest of them come knocking.

“P,” Brynny’s sweet voice drips with concern, “are you sure you wouldn’t like some company? I won’t ask you anything, won’t say a word unless you want me to. And I won’t even say those like JT.”

“Same,” Skylar confirms, though not quite as gently as her little sister. “And if it’d make you’d feel less ganged up on, we’d be happy to take shifts. Judd could take one too, and you know he won’t talk,” she snickers.

“I appreciate it,” my voice wobbles, “but I really just want to be alone. I love you guys, please don’t be offended, but I have to work through this by myself.”

“Alright. But, you change your mind, we’re one call, one text, away. No jokes, no shame… if you need any of us, say the word.” JT’s earlier ire is gone, leaving only a tone of concerned love. “Mean it, P. I said my piece, happy to do things your way now, so you need me, fuckin’ call.”

“I will. Promise.”

I think it’s over, for now, sighing in relief as they shuffle down the hall.

Should’ve known better.

“Brynny, we should take some of these flowers home; they’re too pretty to just leave here to die, and she’s not gonna water them,” Skylar whispers… to be heard.

“We aren’t touching any of the flowers. They’re hers. She can do, or don’t, whatever she wants with them.”

“Fine, just seems like a waste. What about this disturbing menagerie? We could find spots for them. Might make it a little less creepy if we spread ‘em out.” Sky’s talking about the many Charming Tales figurines Sutton’s had delivered. I can’t believe he noticed, let alone knew the name of, or where to find, my beloved mice collectables. And if Sky touches a single one of them, she’s dead meat.

“Leave her stuff right where it is and let’s go,” Brynny snaps… like a champ. Atta girl.

“She’s right, Sky,” JT chimes in. “If P wants to wallow, we have to let her. I’m just shocked she gave up so easily, took the cowardly way out. Would’ve thought she’d fight back. Like, if Sutton fucked up, payback’s a bitch kinda thing. Guess he really got under her skin, took the fight out of her.”

Fuckers know me too well, and exactly what buttons to push.

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