Mania
mom would definitely have frowned on me keeping a prisoner in the storage room.
    â€œI—” She looked away and withdrew a step, turning her back on me. “I just need to make sure you don’t forget our deal.”
    â€œFine, but the first time you get in my way or slow me down … ”
    â€œI won’t.” She glanced at me over her shoulder, her sudden smile distracting.
    I bent over and picked up my shovel, muttering as I walked over to the spot where our trailer had once been parked. “It isn’t if, it’s when.”
    It was clear from Chloe’s expression that she’d heard me and didn’t appreciate it. She gestured at the area I’d been pacing on earlier. “I hate to interrupt all of … this, but are you just going to walk around and stare at the ground all day or are we here trying to accomplish something?”
    I pushed my knuckles hard against my forehead, fighting off the wave of memories that threatened to wrap me up and wash away what was left of me. “We’ll do something.”
    â€œAnd what’s that?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
    â€œWe’re going to dig, and I don’t know how deep we have to go.” My voice was grimmer than I intended, but her attitude was bothering me and we’d only just started.
    When she walked over, I passed her the shovel and plastered a cold grin on my face. “You get to go first.”

Four
Parker
    I sat on the couch with Finn watching a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of an old Bruce Lee movie. Finn’s shirt today was one of my favorites. It said, Dear Math, I’m not a therapist. Solve your own problems .
    Classic Finn.
    Addie and Mia were supposed to be here soon, and I was having a hard time sitting still while I waited. I needed Addie. Everything with my brother had been so uncomfortable lately, and she somehow always knew exactly the right thing to say or do to make me feel better.
    Jack had been gone for over an hour. He’d probably reached Logandale by now. As always, his first instinct was to leave me behind. I was sure I could’ve helped somehow … if he’d let me.
    I was getting really sick of being shut out.
    The doorbell rang. I hopped up immediately and went to answer it. Addie smiled at me brightly from the porch steps and my tension began to seep away immediately. Mia stood just behind her and gave a little wave.
    â€œAre you ready?” Addie asked.
    â€œYeah, Jack’s gone. Come on in.” I leaned over for a quick kiss before backing toward my room. “I’ll grab the laptop and meet you guys at the table.”
    Addie had her pen and notebook out by the time I came back. The TV was off and the three of them were waiting expectantly for me to return with the laptop.
    Addie scanned her notes. “So, last time we were looking for references to Eclipse and came up pretty empty—”
    Finn interrupted. “If you’re certain we should rule out any reference to vampires … ”
    â€œI’m sure.” I laughed as I opened the computer and pushed the power button.
    Mia smiled at Finn and shook her head before giving me a sympathetic glance. “And the time before that, we looked up your dad.”
    â€œRight.” I popped the knuckles on my right hand and forced myself not to show how much it hurt me to talk about him. “Didn’t find much there either, except for the police reports from when Mom reported him missing.”
    â€œSo what do we research this time?” Mia asked.
    I scratched the back of my neck and thought for a minute. “Let’s look up any news about Benton Air Force Base first.”
    â€œGot it.” Addie jotted my suggestion onto her list and I typed the words into my browser. Finn scooted around the end of the table and read over my shoulder.
    â€œMost of these are about the base closing in 1987 … ” I glanced over at Finn as I
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