Page 4 of Wicked Promises
While Eli’s mom shows him to the door, I go downstairs. I shove my sneakers on, lacing them tightly, and grab my sweatshirt.
Eli intercepts me at the top of the stairs. “Where are you going?”
“Get out of my way,” I snarl.
“He’s stilloutthere, you jackass. What do you think, he’s just going to tell you Margo’s missing and then drive away? You burst out the door now, he’s just going to follow you.”
“I know—” I grimace. “I don’tknowwho has her. But I kind of know.”
He rears back. “What?”
All I know is that Margo’s stalker played a part in this. And for this detective to believe me, I need proof.
“It’s complicated.” I shoulder past him, forcing him to follow me. “We don’t have time for this. I lost her once. I willnotlet someone else take her from me.”
Eli stares at me for a moment, then he shakes his head. “Fine. I’m in.”
I pause. “What?”
“I’min. Fuck off with that look of surprise. Do you think I’d just let you handle this on your own?”
Well…
“Asshole.” He elbows me. “I’ll lead the detective away. As soon as I lose him, I’ll meet you at the school.” He snatches my keys out of my hand. “You’re not even supposed to be driving anyway.”
He pulls the hood of his sweatshirt up over his head and hurries toward the garage. A second later, the familiar purr of my car engine reaches my ears.
He’s going to lead the detective away.
With Eli… a little bit of hope comes back. I’m not ten years old, pushed along by my family’s current. I can make my own choices.
I will bring her home.
Past
Where did she go?
Mom grabbed me, and my eyes flew open. I knew it was her before I was even aware, because she always smelled like roses and baby powder.
“Caleb,” she said. “Wake up.”
I was already staring at her. Her order came a few seconds too late.
She moved to the foot of my bed, her arms wrapping around herself. Her glare cut through my misery. Throughme.
“Why did they take her away?” I sat up slowly, the desperate need for answers clogging my throat.
“Her father—” Mom pressed her lips together. “After whatthat mandid to our family, you still want to see her?”
I frowned. “Shedidn’t do anything.”
Mom laughed. I flinched at the sudden loudness of it in my room. It was dark, practically the middle of the night. No moonlight came in through my windows. There wasn’t even a breeze to cool my skin.
I was hot. Burning impossibly bright.
“She didn’tdoanything?” Mom turned on my overhead light.
I cringed. She was being mean. Grief made people do crazy things, right?