I’m still shaky from the bookstore—Alex’s “I don’t know” ringing in my ears—but Casey’s not letting me sit still. She calls me after lunch, voice sharp. “Riley’s moving,” she says. “I’ve been tracking her—phone pings, dumb stuff she posts online.
She’s heading somewhere weird tonight—an old construction site, edge of town. Morgan’s meeting her.” My stomach flips. Morgan—his emails, Riley’s notes, my trashed room—it’s all him, and she’s his hands. Casey’s sure, and I’m tired of waiting. “I’m going,” I say, grabbing my jacket.
“I need to see it.”
She argues—tells me it’s risky, to wait—but I’m done hiding. “I’ll be careful,” I mutter, and hang up before she can stop me. Sam’s at the garage, so I slip out alone, hood up, the papers Casey gave me tucked in my pocket.
The town’s quiet, sun dipping low, and I walk fast, cutting through back streets to the old site—a half-built mess, abandoned years ago after some deal fell through. Casey said it’s where Morgan’s been meeting people—shady stuff—and Riley’s there now.
I’ve got to catch them, hear it for myself.
It’s dark by the time I get close—streetlights flicker out here, just shadows and gravel. The site’s a skeleton—rusted beams, stacks of lumber, tarps flapping in the wind. I spot Riley’s car parked near a busted fence, lights off.
My heart’s pounding, but I creep closer, staying low, sticking to the edge where the grass is tall. I see her—hoodie up, pacing by a pile of wood, her phone glowing in her hand. She’s waiting, nervous, and I duck behind a stack of lumber, the smell of damp wood filling my nose.
My hands shake, but I keep still, peering through a gap.
A truck rolls up—big, black, Morgan’s. He steps out, tall and stern, his coat flapping as he walks to her. I hold my breath, crouching lower, gravel crunching soft under my boots.
They’re close—too close—and I strain to hear, the wind carrying their voices just enough.
“You’re late,” Riley snaps, her voice tight. “This is getting messy—he’s not stopping.”
Morgan grunts, low and rough. “Told you to handle it,” he says. “He’s digging—him and that girl.
We need more—plant something else, make it stick. Evidence he can’t crawl out from.”
My chest tightens—plant more evidence? They’re talking about me—Morgan’s voice, cold, planning to bury me deeper. I shift, slow, trying to hear better, my hands sweaty on the wood.
Riley paces, kicking gravel. “I’ve been trying,” she says, sharp. “Broke into his room, trashed it—left a note. He’s scared, but he’s still poking around. Alex isn’t buying it yet either.”
Morgan steps closer, his shadow big against the lumber.
“Then push harder,” he says, firm. “More papers—fake texts, whatever. Make it look like he’s stalking you, threatening you. Alex’ll crack—he’s already wobbly. Jamie never comes back from this—never steps foot in this town again.”
I freeze, my breath stuck.
They’re not done—more lies, more setups, to make sure I’m gone for good. My sketches, my room—it’s all them, and they’re planning worse. Riley nods, quick, her voice dropping. “I’ll do it—texts, maybe a call log. He’s got nothing left—nobody’ll believe him.” She sounds excited, like it’s a game, and my stomach twists—she’s sick, enjoying this.
I lean in, my heart loud in my ears, needing every word. Morgan’s voice cuts through again. “Cops are mine—plant it right, and they’ll lock him up. No loose ends—Alex sells, we win.” He’s calm, too calm, like he’s done this before.
My hands clench—Alex, the bookstore—it’s all Morgan, using Riley to break us both. I want to jump out, yell, stop them, but I’m stuck, hidden, my legs shaky.
The gravel’s rough under me, and I shift my foot—just a little, to ease the cramp.
It scrapes, loud in the quiet, a sharp crunch that echoes. My breath stops, and Riley’s head snaps toward me, eyes wide, scanning the dark. “What was that?” she hisses, stepping my way, her phone light swinging.
I duck lower, heart slamming, the lumber hiding me—barely.
Morgan turns too, slow, his voice low. “Check it,” he says, and she moves closer, gravel crunching under her shoes.
I hold my breath, hoping they won’t find me, praying the shadows are enough to keep me safe. But Riley’s getting closer, her footsteps almost on top of me now.
I can hear her murmuring under her breath, her voice sharp, cutting through the tension.
I freeze, not daring to move, every muscle in my body screaming for me to bolt, but I can’t. If I run now, they’ll hear me.
If I stay here, they might still catch me—but I’m too close to backing down.
Riley’s light swings past me, and I can feel her gaze searching the space, brushing too close to where I’m hiding. I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to breathe too loud, and pray that the rustling of the wind and the shadows are enough to cover me.
Then, without warning, Riley stops. Her breath catches, and I can feel the tension in the air as she stands still. I hold my breath, feeling my heart thumping in my ears. She’s so close. Too close.
Then, in an instant, Morgan’s voice cuts through the silence.
“No one’s here,” he says, his tone flat. “Let’s move on.”
Riley doesn’t argue, but I can hear the doubt in her voice as she huffs. “You sure?”
Morgan’s reply is a dismissive grunt. “I’m sure. Let’s go. We’ll plant the rest of it tomorrow.”
The footsteps fade, and the truck’s engine roars to life.
I don’t move until I’m certain they’re gone, the rumble of the engine fading into the night. When I finally exhale, it feels like I’ve been holding my breath for an eternity.
I wait a little longer, my legs stiff from crouching too long.
My hands are still shaking, but I force myself to stand up and survey the area. The shadows are swallowing the remains of the night, and my mind is racing with what I’ve just heard. They’re going to plant more evidence.
They’re going to make sure I’m gone for good.
I need to act. I need to stop this before it goes any further. I can’t let them win, not like this. Not when I’ve come this far.
With my heart pounding, I turn back and head in the direction of the town, each step more determined than the last. It’s not over yet—not by a long shot. I’ve got one chance left to make sure I don’t disappear into their lies.