Page 188 of Evil Boys

Where could she be?

I make my way across the house to the kitchen. Maybe he’s making breakfast for her there.

But Milo’s not there either. Nor is Rory.

What the fuck?

Another Phantom passes me by, so I grip his neck and make him stop. “Ezra. Where is Milo?”

He flips his long hair around. “Uh … out?”

“Out where?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “He didn’t tell me. He just took that little girl with him.”

My eyes narrow. “Rory.”

“Can I go now?”

I release him from my grip, and he immediately walks to the fridge, taking out a carton of milk while keeping a keen eye on me.

I fish my phone from my sweatpants and check the text messages. There are none.

Why would he just take her?

Me: Where tf r u? Y did u take Rory?

There’s no reply, not even three dots to signal some words incoming, and it pisses me off. My nostrils flare as I sit down behind the counter.

“Want some milk?” Ezra asks.

“No, had enough last night,” I reply.

Ezra’s face is that of pure and utter confusion, but I ignore it and send another text.

Me: MILO! Answer me!

Suddenly, my phone rings. It’s him.

I swiftly pick up. “Where are you?”

“Nathan …”

My pupils dilate.

He sounds distressed.

“I’m sorry.” His voice cracks.

“What’s going on?” I ask, pacing around. “Is Rory with you?”

“I just wanted to take her to the playground down the mountain …” He gurgles and coughs up in hacking ways. “I’m sorry, Nathan, there were too many of them—”

I jump off the stool. “What happened?”

I hear a hard flop as though something … or someone … just fell to the ground.

“Milo? Answer me, please!” I yell through the phone, but there’s no reply.

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