Page 41 of Gambler's Fallacy

We watch him scurry off. Once he’s gone, Havoc leans heavily against the brick wall.

“Fuck,” he mutters. “I need a shower.”

“Me too,” I answer quietly. I clench and unclench my fists. “You want me to drop you off at your place?”

After a few seconds, Havoc answers. “I want to see Seven.”

I want to see Seven, too, and irritation bubbles up within me at the idea of relinquishing him to Havoc after this difficult night. “You’ll have to share,” I say curtly.

“That’s fine.” Havoc pushes away from the wall. “Let’s go.”

I nod, falling silent.

I have nothing else to say to Havoc. There’s plenty to tell Caleb, but… For now, I can only think about seeing Seven.

It has to make this shitty day better.

NINE

SEVEN

I’min my room with Nacho, dozing, when I hear the front door open.

I immediately startle fully awake, disturbing Nacho from where he was lying pressed up against my chest. I clutch my blanket and listen for sounds, my mind racing with possibilities.

It’s my family, breaking in late at night. It’s a client, and Caleb has decided to sell me.

Both ideas are equally ridiculous, but the fear that creeps up within me is real.

I grab Nacho, who meows in protest, but I hush him before carrying him over on light feet toward the closet. I don’t know why I think it’ll help, because it’s never helped before, but I hurry in and get to the very back. If I’m quiet, no one will find me here.

What are you doing, baby? You should be in bed.

I’m suddenly shivering so hard that my teeth are chattering, and it’s going to give me away. I bite my lip instead, holding the squirming cat so tightly his claws are digging into me in protest. But I can’t let him go. If I let him go, they’ll find us.

The intruders speak in deep, rumbling voices, and their footsteps grow louder.

They stop and say something—three voices, familiar cadences that don’t make my heartbeat slow in the slightest.

My bedroom door opens, and light trails in from underneath the closet door.

“Seven?” one of them says. “Caleb said you were… huh. He’s not here.”

Caleb.

He told them where I am. Whoever this is, they know I’m here somewhere, and the sense of betrayal and fear is so strong that I can barely stand it.

I swallow hard, trying to still my shaking hands. Nacho’s claws finally dig into me so harshly that I have to let him go, and he runs for the closet door. I put my hands over my mouth to cover up the pained sound, looking desperately around for something to shield me. But everything is neatly stacked, and I hadn’t grabbed anything I can use to hide myself from view. If they open the closet door, they’ll see me.

I’m trapped.

Nacho starts pawing at the closet door and meowing loudly.

“Shit, did Nacho get locked in?” a deeper voice says. Heavy footsteps pound their way in my direction.

Don’t see me, don’t see me, don’t see me.

I close my eyes like a child, like if I can’t see them, they won’t be able to see me either.

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