Page 15 of Zero Chance

But I could’ve sworn I hadn’t finished putting them in the Dewey Decimal order yet when Xander had arrived to interrupt me.

Except, there they were,in order.

What was worse, when I turned back to the counter, all the books both Xander and Keene had just returned were missing.

Whipping back to the cart, I found them there, slotted in the row, right where they were supposed to go.

“What the hell?”I whispered under my breath, as a cold rush of fear raced up the back of my neck.

This wasn’t the first time somethingunusuallike this had happened to me at work.More than once, I’d been working on a project, only to turn away for a few seconds and return to find everything fixed and completed.

And it always seemed to happen right after I had an encounter with Keene Dugger.

Glancing out in the direction he’d gone, I didn’t find him anywhere in sight, but my eyes narrowed anyway.

I don’t know how he was doing this, but I wished he’d stop already.Because it was starting to freak me out.

3

WAVERLY

After classes, I drove to the Bergamens’ to pick up my eleven-year-old brother.He stayed at his best friend’s house every afternoon after school until someone from home could collect him.

When Mrs.Bergamen opened the door to me, she smiled in surprise.“Waverly!I didn’t realize you’d be picking up Gates today.Are Bob and Katherine out of town again?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh, you poor thing, you, stuck babysittingagain.And on the first weekend with college back in session, too.”Tipping her head sympathetically, she clasped her hands together and said, “You know what?Why doesn’t Gates just stay here tonight?Jackson’s been begging for him to have a sleepover, anyway.This would work out best for everyone.”

I hesitated before answering, “Are you sure?”

“Of course, sweetie.”She waved out a hand to scoot me along.“You should be out having fun with your friends, not looking after your little brother.”

Which told everyone right there how little Mrs.Bergamen actually knew about me.

“Gosh, I remember those days like they were only yesterday.”She gave a wistful sigh before smiling at me.“So you don’t even worry about Gates, you hear?”

Nodding, I finally said, “Let me just clear it with my parents real quick.”

“Sure thing.Go right ahead.”

I pulled my phone from my pocket and turned away to dial my mom.

“I forgot to mention,” Mom answered by way of greeting.“There are some frozen chicken nuggets in the freezer you can warm up for dinner.”

“Actually,” I bit my lip, knowing how much she hated changes in plans.“I’m at Mrs.Bergamen’s house, and she asked if Gates could stay the night with them.”

There was a pause before Mom asked, “Ashtonasked that?”as if I were talking about adifferentMrs.Bergamen.

“Yes,” I said.

“And you’re there?Right now?”

“Yes.”

“Let me talk to her.”

I tried not to let it bother me that my mother had no trust in my word whatsoever, and I dutifully turned back to the front door and held out my phone to Jackson’s mom.“She wants to talk to you.”

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