Chapter 4

The heavy double doors closed behind us, shutting out the roar of the school showcase.

Out in the dim hallway, the suffocating tension felt thick enough to choke on.

Claire stood rigid between us, her knuckles white where she gripped the leather strap of her tote bag.

"Barry?" Her voice trembled. "What is she talking about? Who is she?"

Barry took a quick step toward me, his hands raised in that gentle, soothing gesture he used whenever I was stressed.

"Gwen, please," he rasped, his voice dropping to an urgent whisper.

"Not here. Let's go home and talk about this…