Page 39 of Midnights
“A couple more emails, and I should be able to find the right one.We’re not lost,” I say with way more confidence than I actually feel.
My phone screen blinks at me like it knows I’m lying.
One percent left.
I open my email, silently begging it to hold on a little longer.Please don’t die. Please, please, ple—
The screen goes dark.
“Noooo!” I yell as my phone finally dies, leaving me stranded with nothing but my panicked thoughts and a useless piece of metal.
Rachel stops mid-laugh and turns to me, eyes wide. “Oh my God, did your phone just die?”
“No, Rach, I’m just dramatically mourning my fully charged battery.” I snap, shaking my dead phone like that’ll bring it back to life. “Yes, it died. It’s dead. Deceased. Gone forever.”
Rachel cackles like this is hilarious.
Cam, just smiles. “Should we light a candle for the vigil, or…”
Kane, on the other hand, just watches me with his arms crossed like he’s debating whether to find this amusing or concerning.
Meanwhile, my heart is racing becauseholy shit, we're lost.The once comforting quiet of the streets now feels heavier and the wind whispers through the alleyways, carrying a chill I hadn’t noticed before. The street lights flicker, casting long, shifting shadows against the cobblestones. The fun night that felt alive, now feels too still.
This isnothow I die.
“I’m pretty sure we’re right around this corner and down the street a little,” I grip onto blind faith like it’s my lifeline. “We arenotlost.”
Rachel’s blissfully unaware of my impending breakdown and is still laughing at something Cam said.At least she’s having the time of her life. Meanwhile, I’m about five seconds away from activatingfull-blownsurvival mode.
Kane’s voice cuts through my panic. “So, to recap, your phone is dead, you don’t know where you’re going, and you’re relying on guessing?”
His smirk is firmly back in place, and I immediately regret everything.
“I’m not guessing,” I argue, lifting my chin. “Imostlyknow where we are.”
His brows lift. “Mostly?”
I open my mouth, ready to fire something back, but before I can, a blacked-out SUV slows to a stop beside us and every muscle in my body locks up.
This is it. This is how we die. If it weren’t for the solid heat of Kane’s hand resting low on my back anchoring me, I’d be convinced that this is the moment we get kidnapped and murdered.
Cam hauls Rachel toward the SUV like it’s his personal getaway vehicle. He’s literally hauling her over his shoulder as her laughter echoes down the street. For a split second, I almost freak out.
She’s giggling like a maniac, and I’m about to kick Cam in the shins and drag her ass straight to the nearest police station.
Before I can fully spiral, Kane’s voice cuts through the growing tension.
“It's fine. He’s a friend.” His tone is maddeningly calm. “We needed a ride and a charger so you can figure out where your place is.”
I blink.
I didn’t even see him pull out his phone. There’s something in his eyes, like he’s waiting for my reaction.
Then he adds, way too casually, “Unless of course you want to come back with us and drive around in my car to try to find your place?”
The look I give him saysabsolutely notandhe just laughs, shaking his head. “That's why our ride is here, Princess. You can plug your phone in, figure out where you’re going, and we’ll get you home. You’re safe.”
You’re safe.
