Chapter 6

The room was quiet — just Larry's steady breathing and the soft hum of the AC.

He'd just called my name.

Not Elvira.

I was sure of it.

Elvira's nickname was Ellie. No one in the family had ever called her Vannie.

That name? It belonged to me.

My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was in my throat.

Why… why would he call my name?

And like that — like he was afraid I'd leave.

I just stared at him.

He shifted in bed, frowning deeper, like caught in some bad dream.

"Water," he murmured again.