It couldn't be. It couldn't. But I had to know.
 
 I pushed myself up and walked slowly across the room. In the box was a screen name I didn't recognize.
 
 Girl_with_a_Pearl: Reed?
 
 My blood ran cold. As I watched, the computer bleeped again. Another message popped up.
 
 Girl_with_a_Pearl: Reed? R U there?
 
 I sat down in Natasha's chair. My mouth was clammy and sour. My fingers trembled.
 
 Rbrennan391: who is this? Girl_with_a_Pearl: prove u r Reed.
 
 My heart stopped beating.
 
 Rbrennan391: how?
 
 Girl_with_a_Pearl: ur middle name, brother's name, dog's name, u have 10 seconds.
 
 236
 
 What the? How could I type that fast when I was about to quake to death?
 
 Rbrennan391: Hyra, Scott, Hershey. WHO IS THIS???
 
 There was a long pause. I sat there, petrified, waiting for the computer to tell me that Girl_with_a_Pearl had logged off. Then, suddenly, the bleep.
 
 Girl_with_a_Pearl: It's Taylor. Whatever they told you about me is not true. It's all lies, Reed. All of it. You have to believe me. . . .
 
 237
 
 CONFESSIONS
 
 Here's more Kate Brian to read while you're waiting for coming in April 2007.