's arm. They climbed into a rusting, dented pickup truck. The eng

nt door. The air inside hit her instantly-a

bald in the center. The paint on the coffee table was chipped

r sit. Without a word, Corda turned and rushed

She closed her eyes. Her brain acted like a radar, map

f the hallway. It sounded like bare fe

ze locked onto the corner of the ha

peeked around the corner. She wore faded den

iles. This was her older brot

forced her facial muscles to relax into a warm, non-thre

lip, then slowly shuffled her bare fee

She simply patted the empty cushion ne

all fingers together. In a tiny whisper, she ask

t her tone light and casual. "God tho

ders dropped. A small dimple appea

, conversational tone to extract information. She

hing. She said her mom, Brenda, broke three plates in th

econd. She filed Brenda's name under 'immedia

nfused. She asked Mia if she remembered what

rying while holding a pink envelope. Then, Kurtis was

cramp of phantom heartbreak ripped through her ribs. Bridget ruth

d. Mia deepened her voice, mimicking a te

nto a cold, mocking smirk. The puzzle was compl

from the kitchen. Corda walked out

ike a startled rabbit and

girl. She opened her mouth, ready to y

nd Mia's small shoulders. She cut Corda off,

the tension leaving her face. She set the

eped into her freezing palms. She looke

e months. Within three months, she wa

r eyes sharpened into blades. But fir