ever-ending sleep. My body felt heavy, as though it were sinking. The air carried the sh

. My vision was blurred, like I was looking through water. I could hear quiet footstep

front of me. His features started to take form as I blinked again

is eyes searching for mine, like he was scared I

f my pulse was resonating throughout my entire body. I slowly pushed myself up, and t

been knocked over. The coffee table was fli

re's Mom?" I asked, my voice dr

ood up, walking out of the room. My heart thumpe

it to me. I took a few sips. The cold water

front door was open; I didn't touch anything. But the place

d. I looked again at the mess, e

?" I asked, my voice shaking. "

ut through my pani

ng. "She called so many times, left all the

t stop. "Now she's missing, and I feel like it

his gaze. "Izalea, none of this is your

is path, Dom. She warned me about fame, and now loo

my gaze. "I know you didn't mean for any of this to

on me. "I just hope nothing's happened to her.

vibrated on the nigh

on the screen: *Up already, sleepy head

message, trying to wrap my head arou

round the phone as I s

, but in this context, it wasn't just wro

hrough. From the outside, it looked like nothing was wrong. A jogger pa

ey're using her," I whi

ed toward me.

phone, unable t

just started moving with purpose. Pulled open the curtains. Checke

I asked, my voice th

for a c

nd, but the moment he said it, I felt

, then the TV stand, before his eyes landed on the air vent

s hidden inside,

mach f

ing?" My voice w

ding the camera between two

denly felt alive. Like every surface seemed

, almost to himself. "Were they watching her bef

crushed it beneath his heel. Glass and metal crunched b

nt from us?" I a

trying to ma

e vibrat

ng for

er fail to play your part; almo

rkened as he read it. "We need to go," he said

me. "Let's

"Just one m

like walking away from her. Like every step away fr

now where she is,

ome on. They could be watching right now. I

hat have you done with m

ame almost

by following our instructions. Be stupid enough t