"Yeah." "You sure it's hers?" "Yeah, I checked." "Good job. Let's get something to eat." "Not hungry." I threw the empty bottle in the recycling. "Taking five." I heard him sigh, then I walked off. Where the hell can I sit with no one around? Just a few minutes of silence will do. Just a few minutes. I climbed the stairs to the rooftop, felt queasy when I saw how high it was. My throat felt tight and I almost took a step back but stopped myself. Taking a deep breath, I walked to the edge, forced myself to look down. When I felt dizzy, I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, gave myself a minute to breathe. Shit. Then I opened my eyes again. When the queasiness in my stomach subsided a little, I conceded that it was a small victory. I stepped back, checked my phone again. Raven was still in Toronto. I knew she didn't go anywhere without her car. She'd ship it by boat, plane or a magic carpet, but her car went with her wherever she travelled before she got tired of it and bought another one. Or gifted another one. Relieved, I was about to go back downstairs when my phone chirped. It was Dylan. My heart slammed in my chest as I read his text. No. No. No. Fucking hell. Kara. I ran. * It was in the early hours of the morning by the time I arrived at Mike's house. Dylan said he'd insisted that Kara slept over there tonight, and she had agreed as long as they didn't let their dad know what had happened. I got out of my truck, smelling like a sewer, walked the distance from their shop to the front door of their house. My whole body was vibrating, itching to see her. It had been a long drive. Worried sick and running on fumes, I hesitated at the door. The lights were all off inside the house. They must all be sleeping by now. But I needed to see her. I stepped on the porch, about to ring the doorbell when the lights came on in the living room. A few seconds later, the door opened. "Cameron? You lost, son?" "I feel like I am." There was a quiet understanding in Mike's eyes that tightened my chest. "You came to the right place. Come on in." "I'm sorry to bother you, Mike. Is Kara here?" "She is. Did you just come from a jobsite?" I nodded. I must've looked and smelled like shit. "You'll need a shower. You have a change of clothes with you, bring them, if not I'll lend you some of mine. Don't know if they'll fit you though. You're bigger than me and Dylan." "Thanks. I appreciate it." I jogged back to my truck, grabbed my pack. When I came back, I knocked on the door. "I'm going to heat up some dinner for you. You like chicken and potatoes? Unless you're like Kara, then you can just have the potatoes." "I'm all right. I already ate. Thanks." He looked at me suspiciously. I hadn't had anything all day but coffee and water, but I didn't feel like eating. "All right. It's here for you when you want it. Kara said she doesn't feel good today. Is that why you're here?" I nodded. "Something's going on, isn't it?" I hesitated, but he waved his hand. "Figured if they want to tell me, they will." He let out a deep sigh. "Hard to raise adults. Hard to raise parents too, I bet. Go ahead, son. Take that shower. I'll get my daughter." As soon as I stepped inside their bathroom, dizziness came over me. I gripped the counter, trying to breathe slowly, waiting for it to pass. When it did, I took my clothes off, stepped into the hot spray. I just wanted to see her, feel her in my arms, make sure that she was really all right. I closed my eyes, let the water stream over my face. Anything could've happened to her. Much, much worse could have happened to her. And I wasn't even there to protect her. Fuck me. I needed to see her now. I finished fast, wiped and cleaned the area, got dressed. When I pushed the door open, my knees nearly buckled beneath me. There she is. She was waiting for me on the couch. The sight of her made the heaviness in my chest dissipate, made me finally take a deep breath. I took a step toward her. "Kara."