Chapter 5: One More Time

I had my shoes on before the call ended.

"You don't have to do this," Ash said.

"She's my sister."

"She's also the one who texted you that threat an hour ago."

"Both of those are true," I said. "Her heart is real. If she's alone and it's bad, I can't sit here."

He studied my face for a moment, then took his keys off the hook.

"I'm driving you, and I'm staying at the end of the lane. If you need me, call."

"Fine."

"Sigrid."

"Fine," I said, softer.

The Garrick house stood dark on its hill, with one light burning in the front room.

I walked up the porch steps and pushed the door open.

Felicity lay on the living room couch under a blanket, pale and small, with one hand pressed flat to her chest.

Her pill bottle sat on the coffee table in plain sight, next to a glass of water.

Mom stood by the window with her arms folded.

Dad sat in his armchair, and my brother leaned in the kitchen doorway.

Nobody had gone to Northlake.

"You said you were alone," I said to Felicity.

"I was, for a minute." Her voice shook. "It was really bad, Sigrid. Then it passed. I'm so glad you came."

She held out her hand.

I looked at it for a second, and I took it.

Her fingers were ice cold, and her pulse fluttered under my thumb.

That part had been real.

That was always the trouble with it.

"Sit down," Dad said.

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