Chapter 9: 1:12 A.M.

Livia's POV

I sat on the third stair with the coffee going cold beside me and the flip phone in my hand.

Elio stood two steps below, with his back against the wall.

He didn't tell me to hurry.

The screen was small and cracked.

Under a date twelve years old, in blocky letters, it said: New Voicemail. 1:12 AM.

I pressed the button.

There was a hiss, and then a boy's voice, whispering.

"Eli. It's me. Pick up. Please."

Elio's eyes closed.

"I'm in the back of Dom's father's Buick. He's drunk. They're all drunk."

"I told them I'd drive and they wouldn't give me the keys."

In the background a man was singing, loudly and badly.

I knew the voice.

It was Paolo, twenty years old, laughing.

"He won't pull over. He's doing seventy on the bay road. I'm going to make him stop at the ramp."

"Eli, I swear to God, if I get out of this car I'm never getting in a car with him again."

Dominic's voice came from the front, easy and bright.

"Who are you talking to? Put it away, you pain. We're almost there."

"Dom, slow down. Dom."

"Relax."

"Dominic, the rail. Dom! The rail!"

There was a bang so loud that the little speaker crackled, and a long scream of metal.

Something heavy fell against the phone.

Then nothing.

I realized I was gripping the stair with my free hand.

The hiss went on.

Somebody was breathing very fast.

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