The rumor spread about the detective interrogating me. It’s like I’ve relapsed back to three years ago, right after my dad vanished. The halls are fluttering with whispers of “Freak,” Psychopath,” and “Murderer.” But I walk with my head held high. A little gossip and dirty looks is nothing compared to being plagued by death every day. Raven still hasn’t shown up at school and she hasn’t called or replied to any of my texts, so I go to the cafeteria solo, crossing my fingers I’ll make it out alive. I’m waiting in line, when Mackenzie Baker comes brushing by, knocks her shoulder into mine, and nearly breaks a high heel trying to recover her balance. Ropes bind her wrist and mouth. Darkness devours her. Come out, come out, wherever you are. It’s a game and Mackenzie loses, lost in a sea of blood. I’ve seen her death before and it never gets easier. “You better watch it,” she says with edginess in her tone.
