Chapter 30

"Who drives that blue truck?" I ask as we screech to a stop at yet another red light. "Sam?" It's too hot in here. I wrestle my jacket off, discarding it at my feet.

"I don't know," Jacey says, her eyes fixed on the road. She nibbles the nails on her left hand, right hand on the steering wheel. When the light turns green, she guns it again, turning onto the road that leads to the hospital.

The sun is already low and hidden behind the medical buildings when we arrive. As we park, I scan the lot for the blue Chevy, but there are too many cars.

When we finally reach the fourth floor, a nurse asks, "Can I help you?"

"My cousin and I are here to see my sister, Piper." I point toward Piper's room, not slowing as I jerk Jacey along by the crook of her arm.

"Go right ahead," the nurse says, smiling and scribbling something down on her clipboard. "Your other cousin is already in there."

My other cousin? A new wave of fear laps over me, pushing me down the hall.

I approach the closed door, a cramp of terror seizing my hand as I reach for the handle.

"Wait," Jacey says, grabbing the back of my shirt.

"What is it?" I spin around to find her white as a sheet.

Her eyes fall shut. "I just think…" She goes back to chewing her fingernails, then looks down at the swirl pattern on the laminate floor. I don't have time for this.

I push open the door and step into the room, its white walls muted in the dim light, and my heart slithers down to my feet.

At the center of the room lies my comatose sister, head turned away from the door, blond hair spilling over the pillow.

Still, and anything but awake.

And the person responsible for everything stands over her.