Page 139 of Stop and Seek
If Noah hadn’t taken down the one in the living room, he’d have a better view of what was goingon.
Theo was there this time. On the mattress. Face turned toward the wall, hair tangled in the back. He hadn’t moved in ten minutes.
Noah watched anyway. He knew the shape of Theo’s hands under the blanket. The worn edges of that sweatshirt he never took off—the black one, sleeves too long, cuffs chewed through until his thumbs poked out.
A can sat on the windowsill. Probably beer, not soda. A plate had been on the floor for two days.
Noah
Checking in. I miss you.
As usual, the dots appeared.
Typing.
Typing.
Typing.
Gone.
It was a knife in his chest every time.
Noah
Do you need groceries? I could leave them outside your door. You wouldn’t have to see me.
Noah watched him roll over, screen reflecting off his glasses.
Then he left the frame.
Noah
Can I call?
There weren’t even dots.
Noah dropped the phone on his stomach and stared at the ceiling like it might split open and give him an answer.
He hated this. This almost-conversation. The way hope kept teasing him. He’d rather Theo beat the shit out of him again. At least that wasreal. Instead, all he had was the knowledge that he’d screwed up.Somehow.
And hecouldend the wondering. He had akey.He could be there in forty-five minutes, unlock the door, wrap Theo in his arms, and refuse to let go until they were good again.
But—
But that would probably make things worse. Scare him.Hurthim. Theo needed space, and Noah was trying, goddammit, he wastryingto be good. To be what Theoneeded. Even if it hurt like hell.
His phone buzzed. Noah sat up so fast the room tilted sideways.
Not from Theo.
A text from Kyran.
Kyran
i was doing sma & someone sent in this
SMA.Show Me Anything. Dumb streams where people donated to get Kyran to react to cursed videos. Noah didn’t care. Didn’t have the energy to watch freaky clowns or spider fetishes or whatever shit Kyran’s followers thought was gross-cool.
