Page 54 of Their Will be Done

“Asshole!” I throw him the finger, glaring at him as I storm over to the door and let myself out.

Everyone around here is crazy.

As I walk back to my room, my dirty clothes bundled against my chest, Alice in Wonderland plays on repeat through my head.

We’re all mad here.

We’re all mad here.

We’reallmad here.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Trinity

“Come.”

My heart flutters uneasily at Gabriel’s command. I tug at the waist of my dress before letting myself inside. The dark, long-sleeved dress—a creation that would have better suited Wednesday from the Adams family—sits tighter than I like it. I even considered opening some of the buttons that run down the front, but I was afraid I’d end up looking like an eighteenth-century prostitute. Mom bought the dress for me about two years ago and I guess I’ve filled out since then.

The smell of cigarettes and wood smoke wash over me as I open the second door leading into Gabriel’s living area.

He’s wearing a button-up shirt tonight, sleeves rolled up to mid-arm, and a pair of dark slacks.

“Good evening,” he says, turning from the fire to greet me.

I smile and lift my hand to wave.

He comes over, spreads his arms, and draws me into a hug. When I don’t hug him back, he hurriedly steps back and releases me.

“Is everything okay?”

Wet concrete pours into my stomach. “Yeah, of course,” I manage, although my voice is anything but steady. “I’m just a little tired. I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“When would you like to eat? Sister Miriam mentioned that you weren’t at lunch today, so I’m guessing—”

Is he keeping tabs on me?

He cuts off as if I’d asked the question out loud.

I guess if anyone’s going to notice I’m missing, it’ll be Miriam. And I’m much easier to spot than one of the hundreds of boys in this place.

You’re jumping at shadows, Trinity.

“I’m okay.” I force myself to move closer, pretending to warm myself by the fire. I’m already starting to sweat, but if I keep my distance, he might become suspicious. I can’t have him wondering if I have an ulterior motive for being here tonight.

Someone slipped another note under my door a little less than an hour ago. It wasn’t Cass’s handwriting, thank God. I assume it was Zachary’s.

Keep him busy until eight.

You’ll have 15 min alone.

Good luck.

It’s half-past seven. I should have asked for supper if only to pass the time, but I can’t eat when I’m this nervous.

The drive is hidden behind the elastic of my underwear. The dress’s fabric is too thick for it to stand out, but to me it feels like a massive, ticking bomb you’d have to be blind to miss.

“How was your…trip?” I hazard. It’s as good a question as any right? I have no idea where Gabriel’s been the past few days, so—

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