Charlotte looks me in the eyes. "Do you think all of this is because of you?"
Me? I swallow the lump in my throat and open my mouth to respond, but what is there to say?
"No!" she cries, realizing she's upset me. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm not blaming you. The police are right. This is all Jake's fault. I just meant that being turned down doesn't seem like a legit reason to go all Freddy Kruger."
"Who knows what's going through his mind," I said. "Detective Lina said that sometimes people just...snap. Like a small interaction can feel big to another person. A lot of stalkers meet their victims through a chance encounter that the victim barely even remembers. Something must have been different in Jake's mind for a while, but now it's blown up."
She scoffs. "I wish his head would blow up."
"I don't think spontaneous combustion is going to solve anything here."
Laughing, she shakes her head and pulls her legs up on to the sofa, wrapping her arms around them. "Well, you made me laugh at least. But I don't think I'll feel better until Jake is caught. I never wanted to find myself in a position where I was living in fear again."
"When did you live in fear?" I ask gently. Charlotte has shared very little about her childhood and family. I don't even know if she has siblings.
She shrugs.
"Sorry, you don't have to talk about it."
"It's...my mom took off when I was a baby, and my dad was a violent alcoholic. My home life wasn't pleasant. I never knew what I was coming home to. Leaving for college was the best day of my life. I haven't seen or spoken to him since."
"Not at all?"
"Nope. He's probably forgotten he has a daughter. I don't care."
I can't imagine getting to that point. She must have gone through hell. "I'm sorry, Charlotte. You deserve a better life than that. I hope you're happy here." Frowning, I add, "Besides the situation right now."
"Thanks, Lylah."
Thankfully we've all managed to keep our families away. It's too dangerous for them to be here, for everyone. Their presence could be seen as an obstacle between us and Jake, and it could cause him to react. Detective Lina explained that it was better to have the police deal with this. They know what they're doing. I know for a fact that my brother would get too involved.
Someone knocks on the living room door, but they don't wait for a response. Detective Alexander smiles as he pushes it open. "Everything okay in here?"
"Yeah," I reply. "Where's Zak?"
"An officer is taking him back to his hotel."
"Has there been any other sign of Jake?"
"Not that I've heard. We're working all our leads. If you need me, I'll be outside."
"Thanks, Detective Alexander," Charlotte and I say in unison.
I turn to her. "Jinx."
That makes her smile again, which feels like an accomplishment.
Once he's left, Charlotte heads down the hall for a bath. I make a pot of coffee and get comfortable. Chace, Sienna, and Isaac are still out, but it's only five minutes to midnight. I don't expect them anytime soon. I curl up on the sofa and switch on the TV. While I'm waiting for a movie to load, I text Zak. We had exchanged numbers on a night out a few months back, but I've yet to need it until now.
Are you okay?
It takes him a few minutes to reply. Yeah, I'm fine. Sry to turn up on your doorstep like that.
Glad you're all right, I responded. If you want to talk, you know where I am.
There are about a hundred questions I'd like to ask, but I don't want to push him. I can't begin to imagine what's he's going through.
This is all such a big mess.
Thanks. His message doesn't give me anything to work with, so I don't reply. He probably wants to be alone anyway.
As the opening credits start to play, my phone rings.
Chace. He doesn't usually call when he's out for the night. "Hi," I say.
"Lylah, what the hell is going on? I just heard about Zak from the cop that's with me. He got a message from Detective Alexander. Is he okay? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, he was alone, and he got jumped. Detective Alexander found him walking past our house and cleaned him up, and then another officer took him home."
"You weren't with him?"
"No, we went separate ways, and it happened on his way back to his hotel."
Chace is quiet, and I hear a car door slam shut.
"Where are you?" I ask.
"On my way home. Where's everyone else?"
"Charlotte's here, but Isaac and Sienna are both still out. Should we try getting ahold of them?"
"If Jake's been hanging around the neighborhood, fuck knows where he is now. We should all be together."
I text Sienna and Isaac to clue them in, then try to focus on my movie while I wait for them to come home. I chew on my lip until it's raw. A fat lump starts to rise where I've bit down too hard it. My hands won't stay still. I wring them as my mind works in overdrive trying to think of a way to stop Jake. So much for the distraction.
An hour into my movie, Chace gets home. My shoulders relax with the relief of knowing he's safe. He joins me on the sofa.
"Are you okay?" he asks, staring into my eyes like he's a human lie detector.
"Chace, I'm fine. I promise."
He leans back against the soda. "Good. You're watching horror?"
"Yes." I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. Does he think that's in bad taste? Is it in bad taste?
Throwing his arm over the back of the sofa, he replies, "All right."
I smile to myself. All right.
A few minutes later, Charlotte emerges in her pajamas, and not too long after, Sienna arrives in a whirlwind, flinging open the door. "What the hell, guys!" she shouts, raising her arms. "He hurt Zak!"
"Where's Isaac?" Chace asks.
She freezes as she kicks off a stiletto. "He's not here? We split up after some friends asked me to go to another bar. He texted me a while ago. He was already on his way home."
It's as if I'm on a roller coaster, slowly climbing into the sky, and when we reach the top of the track, suddenly, I'm falling.
16
Friday
February 9
It's 4:30 a.m. My emotions are flitting between fear and anger--switching every five seconds. It's not unlike Isaac to stay out all night, and it's not like he always tells us where he is. But under these circumstances, he would call. I know he would call. Especially if he got delayed. He told Sienna he was heading home.
Surely, he would know that we'd worry.
But that's the scary part. What if he can't call?
Jake could have him right now.
Or he could simply be asleep in some girl's bed. Like Sonny, Isaac is also a big fan of all-night shagging sessions with anyone who is up for it.
Please let that be the case. My brain argues with itself. Come on, Lylah. That's not the case. The last note was addressed to Isaac. What if the killer made his move?
Detective Lina covers a yawn with the back of her hand. She is still trying to get a trace on Isaac's phone after rushing here the moment Officer Grey called her to report Isaac missing. But so far, she finds nothing.
His phone battery could have died. Or someone could have taken out the battery.
The back and forth in my head is driving me insane. I just want to hear from him. But it won't happen. Isaac is gone. I can feel it.
Charlotte and Sienna are half asleep on one sofa, and Chace and I are wide awake on another. No one wants to go to bed because we're scared of what news we might learn if we wake up. So we wait. And wait.
We wait either for Isaac to walk through the door or to find his body somewhere.
I've drunk my body weight in coffee since we started calling him at midnight. I'm awake and alert, but I also have to pee every five minutes.
Riley called around ten to check in again. I had to lie to him so he wouldn't come. Another missing person would make him react for sure.
"T
ry Isaac's phone again," I tell Chace. If anyone has a chance at him answering while he's with a girl, it's Chace.
He gives me brief smile and taps his phone. He's only calling to keep me happy. He doesn't think Isaac will answer any more than I do. I can't shake the feeling inside that I know Isaac is gone. Have I given up on finding him?
It's a horrible thought, which leaves a nasty taste in my mouth. How can I give up on my friend? But what's the use in pretending?
Out of everyone here, Isaac is probably Chace's closest friend. Chace wouldn't really give up on him without proof, would he? Maybe it's not about giving up, but accepting reality. We've lost Sonny and Nora. Jake is more than capable of killing Isaac too.
I stare at Chace's phone with baited breath. Come on, Isaac. Pick up.
Chace lets it go through to voicemail before hanging up. "He's been back later than this before," he says, putting on a positive front.
"That's true. Some days we're getting ready for class when he strolls in," I reply.
But never when a deranged murdered who's threatening us is on the loose.
I keep my mouth shut, not wanting to voice the words and make everyone even more scared for Isaac's safety. Riley always told me to be confident, voice my beliefs, even if I'm worried they may not be received well. Apparently, it's better to get it all out than keep feelings inside that eat away at you. At the moment, I think Riley is full of shit.
The front door creaks open, and we all leap up at the same time. Detective Lina appears from inside the kitchen, rushes to the door, and her shoulders sag with disappointment.
I sit back down and put my head in my hands. It's not Isaac.
Out in the hallway, the detective has a muffled conversation with two officers. Frowning, I strain to overhear what they are saying. Something's happened.
She comes into the room, and no one dares to speak.
"One of the officers found this outside," she finally says, holding up an envelope. The note has already been removed. It's facing her, so we can't see it.
"What does it say?" I ask.
"Editing suite."
I close my eyes and curl into a ball on the sofa. Isaac is dead.
"We have officers on their way," she says. "As soon as we have more information, I'll let you know. But for now, I need you stay here. This is the safest place for you."
She doesn't know that. Jake could still be outside.
"Are you leaving?" Charlotte asks.
"I am. You have two officers in the house and four outside. No one leaves or comes inside."
Chace rubs his forehead with the tips of his fingers. "Can I come with you?"
"No," she says flatly.
"He's my friend, Detective."
"I'm sorry." Her voice is firm. She isn't going to back down. Detective Lina turns around and gives instructions to the cops with her. We're no longer part of this.
Chace glares at her back and ushers me and Sienna into the kitchen, leaving Charlotte with Detective Lina and the two cops. "Out, go," he says, navigating us to the back door.
"What?" Sienna whispers. "We can't go out alone. She just said no leaving."
"I have to slip out if I want to get to the editing suite," he replies. "I have to see for myself. You two need to cover for me if Detective Lina or the cops realize I'm gone."
I don't hesitate. "What? No, I'm not letting you go alone. If you're going, so am I."
"Lylah, what could be waiting for us..." he starts.
Bile stings my throat. I remember vividly what Jake is capable of. "I know, but we're in this together."
Chace raises his hands and opens his mouth to protest, but I beat him to it. "Come on," I mouth, waving at him to follow me.
"Guys, this is a terrible idea," Sienna whispers.
"I agree. Lylah should stay with you," Chace argues.
"Not happening. Now come on."
Chace sighs sharply, knowing I'm not going to change my mind and that we don't have a lot of time. "Cover for us," Chace says to Sienna as we slip out of the back door. We're sheltered from the road by the high wall and gate, but the cops will see us if we're not super careful. We need to time this perfectly.
"What if he's out here?" I ask, glancing around in the dark. "He's into sports, likes to run, and if we're alone, we're sitting ducks."
Chace tugs me against the back garden wall, opposite the gate where the cop car is parked. "You're safe with me, Lylah."
Chace is strong. I'm sure he could take on Jake and win, but I don't want it to come to that.
"Should we take a weapon with us?" We definitely should have taken coats because it's freezing, but that would have raised a few questions.
He stills and raises an eyebrow. "You get the guns, and I'll grab the crossbow."
"Not funny, idiot!" I snap, whacking his stomach with the back of my hand. I shiver.
Chuckling quietly, he nods to the wall. "I'll help you up. We need to go before they realize we've left." Chace kneels down, threads his fingers together with his palms facing up, and waits for my foot.
I place the sole of my shoe in his hands. Pushing off, I reach high and grab the top of the wall. It's damp from the light rain and ice cold. I dig my fingertips into the brick so I don't slip.
This is ridiculous. We're breaking out of our own house.
I swing my legs awkwardly over the wall and look down at Chace. He smirks at me with hands on his hips. "Smooth, Lylah."
"Just hurry up!" I jump down to the other side and wipe my hands on my jeans. Thankfully, no one is around, and the cop car is out of view. Behind our house is a pedestrian-only zone. The road ends by our back gate.
Chace jumps up, grabs the top of the wall, and swings himself over. His fluid movements put me to shame.
I frown. "No one likes a show-off, Chace."
He grabs my hand, and we take off toward campus, breaking into a run. My heart is pounding wildly. Adrenaline blasts through my veins, urging me on.
I won't turn back, even fearing what we're about to find. Isaac is our friend. I ache to be there when he's found. He deserves to have people who love him there, not a room full of strangers.
Chace sets the pace, which given the fact he's a runner, is incredibly fast. I manage to keep up, though I'm not sure how.
Whatever has happened to Isaac, I need to see with my own eyes. I want nothing more than for the note to have been a ruse. I'm happy for it to be a joke if it means Isaac is okay.
We round the corner, and Chace stops dead. I almost body slam him. Ahead is a cop car, stopped, lights flashing. It looks like it was abandoned outside the media lab. Its engine was still running. They stopped in a hurry.
"We have to go in there now, before others arrive," I say.
Chace nods, and we take off at lightning speed again. My thighs burn in protest and my shins feel like they're splintering. I'm not used to this kind of physical activity. The freezing air bites into my cheeks and burns my lungs.
We pause by the front door, and Chace cranes his neck around the corner to get a better look. In the distance, I hear sirens, many different tones. They blend into one another, but I can tell there are multiple. More cops and the paramedics are likely on their way. Maybe the fire department for extra backup.
Chace nods. "We're clear."
If there were time, I would tease him about that comment. It's like we're in an action movie. Though now I've discovered I prefer watching one to living one.
Careful to keep our footsteps light so we're not heard, Chace slips through first, and I twist my body to the side and sneak in after him.
We know this building like the backs of our hands, so we take each turn without thinking. Up ahead is the editing suite. We will finally know Isaac's fate. Will he look just like Sonny?
"I'm scared," I whisper as Chace pushes the door with one hand.
The cops are close; I can hear them around the corner in the next hallway. Their muffled voices are probably trying to make sense of whatever Chace and
I are about to see.
"I am too, Lylah, but we have to do this. I can't abandon Isaac."
I clench my fists until I can feel my nails cutting into my palms. We walk slowly. I feel like I'm wading through water.
"Which room?" I whisper.
"It's... I'd imagine it's the same one Sonny was in."
Oh God.
The hallway looks so much longer than it normally does. It's almost as if it stretches with every step I take. I feel like I'm back in the hospital, waiting to see my parents.
Then I can only hear my breathing. It's fast and loud. But Chace doesn't tease me. He doesn't say anything.
The suite is just steps away. I lick my dry lips. The door is open. My legs give way again, and I hit the tile hard.
Isaac lies on top of the table. His chest is bloody, and his arms hang over the edge, his face pointed up toward the sky.
His eyes are wide open.
Chest cut open.
Heart missing.
17
Saturday
February 10
Nineteen hours. That's how long it has been since we last saw Isaac alive. Detective Lina was furious that we bolted to the media lab despite her orders to stay at the house, but I don't care. Her life isn't the one being threatened, and she isn't exactly doing a stellar job of protecting my friends.
Chace has barely said a word since we found Isaac. They were close friends. He's lost both guys in our house. I don't know what I'd do without Sienna and Charlotte.
Chace is lying in my bed staring up at the ceiling. I've tried talking to him all day, but he's only replied with curt yes or no answers, or he hasn't responded at all.
I'm completely lost with how to help Chace. I can't process seeing Isaac like that, let alone know how to help him. Grieving for Isaac is impossible when I am consumed by fear.
This must be how Riley felt after our parents died.
I lay down on my side next to Chace. He doesn't react. "Are you hungry? You haven't eaten all day."
He shakes his head.
Of course he's not.
"I don't really know what to do here," I admit. "What can I do to help you?"
Releasing a breath, he closes his eyes. "Nothing."
"If I make you something will you eat it?"
"Lylah, if you make me a meal, I'm going to frame it."
I laugh, despite being the butt of his joke. I'm an awful cook. But it's really nice to hear him say something other than grunted one-word answers.