Chapter 13

The summer fair is another thing I was excited for. It’s held on the school field every year because there isn’t another space big enough—that isn’t taken up by tons of trees anyway.

It’s the perfect afternoon too, warm but overcast so we don’t all burn under the sun. One of the reasons it’s held after work and school.

I pass traditional fairground games like Skee-Ball, Whac-A-Mole, and horseshoes, searching for Atlas. He was helping to set up earlier.

I’m still annoyed at him for the thing in the cafeteria today. I’m not trying to constantly remind him of what we’ve done, but I also can’t just zap back to being completely normal. It’s like Jesse isn’t even pretending. When we’re alone, I don’t think we should joke about pranks.

Fuller is about, along with a few teachers, but it’s mostly residents who make today possible. He’s only here because some of the school is unlocked so people can use the restrooms. He doesn’t trust anyone else.

I walk around the giant ring toss and almost slam into Rhett. His brows lift and he tilts his head like a villain. “Hey, Marley.”

“Have you seen Atlas?”

“Many times, unfortunately.”

That was my bad—I shouldn’t have assumed he’d tell me if hehad.

“Never mind,” I say, walking around him.

I don’t get far because he grabs my wrist. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been acting weird.”

Out of everyone in the whole school, he is the last person I expect to notice. All he’s done since he cut ties with me is act like I’m a constant irritation.

“What?” I ask, flustered.

“You were off Friday, which is weird in itself—you never miss school. You looked like a zombie this morning. What gives?”

I force a smile on my lips, not too genuine-looking, or he’ll know. “Rhett. It’s the end of the year, there’s lots going on, and lots to do to prepare for college. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m bored ofyou.”

That was just bitchy enough for him to believe that I’m a bit tired and it’s still me under there. He scoffs, stepping to let me by and muttering, “Loser.”

He’s off his game too.

I wonder what his reason is.

I don’t get two steps before my next shock. He turns, and the air leaves my lungs as if he’s punched me in the chest.

“George,” I mutter, my heart aching at the sight of him. No news about Arthur has spread, but that’s not exactly a surprise.

“Got a crush on him, have you?” Rhett asks, still not leaving me the hell alone.

George lifts his hand as he makes his way over.

I do a double take and scowl at Rhett. “What are you still doing here? Go find Ruthie.”

I walk away from him, knowing his little comments aren’t going to help when I have to face George…which will be in about three seconds because his long legs take big strides.

“Hey, I was hoping I’d run into you,” he says. “I have a question.”

My skin itches all over at talking to him, but I manage a reply. “Shoot.”

“I know he’s pretty reclusive, but I don’t suppose you’ve seen my grandad?”

“What?” I ask, looking around with anxiety gnawing in my stomach.

This was always going to happen. Breathe. Act.

He laughs. “No, not here.”

I know he’s not here—I’m looking for help. Even Rhett will do. I was wrong: it’s so much worse talking to George alone, especially when he brings Arthur up. George is worried.

“Oh. No, sorry. Why?”

“I know you pass the house to get from home to school, so I just wondered.”

“Are you looking for him here?”

“No. I volunteered for this. Grandad’s suggestion, believe me. Wanted something to keep me busy,” he says, leaning in. “Look, I haven’t seen him since Thursday night. The cops aren’t worried.”

My heart skips a beat. He’s been searching for him. Of course he has. I don’t know what I expected; this was always going to happen.

I wring my hands together to stop myself scratching at the itch along my arms. “Another hike or fishing trip, maybe.”

“No.” He huffs and rubs his shoulder. “At least, I don’t think so. All of his supplies are still at the house, and besides, he hasn’t gone out to fish in years.”

I frown. “He does go into the mountain a lot. Your shoulder okay?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, just aches from holding a flashlight all night while I searched the forest. No one else seems to think it’s strange for him to take off. I’ve known him to go for a day or two, that’s it.”

“I mean, there are times when we don’t see him at all for weeks. He doesn’t come out a lot. I think he does still fish, I’ve seen him with rods.”

This isn’t strictly true, and I hate myself for planting a seed of hope in George’s mind, but what other choice do I have?

“Where in the mountains?”

“I’m not sure exactly. But he’s not always home, George. It is strange that it’s happened when you’re in town, but he does disappear. I take it he doesn’t have a phone?”

He shakes his head. “Only the landline, and I’m not sure that even works anymore.”

“How do you keep in contact with him?”

“He used to write letters to my mom.” Dipping his head, he adds, “I haven’t kept in touch as much as I should’ve.”

That’s really sad. They’re both lonely. Or George is lonely and Arthur was.

I almost reach out for George but stop myself. Comforting him would also be comforting myself, and I don’t deserve it. “Don’t beat yourself up over that. He knows you care.”

“I don’t know what to do now. There’s no sign of him.”

His words are like a mace hitting me over and over. There’s no sign of him. We made sure of that. The tire marks are gone. The blanket and gloves are gone. Arthur is gone.

“Did he know you were coming?”

“No, I surprised him.”

I touch his arm. “Then he might’ve had it planned. It’s not like he’s used to factoring someone else in when he makes plans. It could’ve slipped his mind to tell you.”

“Maybe. His car’s gone but none of his clothes are. Or I don’t think they are.”

I jolt at his words. Arthur’s car is gone? We didn’t do that.

Well, I didn’t do that.

“Would you know if all of his clothes were there?” I mutter, blindsided by the missing car. I don’t know when they did that or why they didn’t tell me.

George frowns. “Okay, maybe not. But if you were going on a trip, you’d pack a few things. His drawers are full.”

The urge to get him to shut up is overwhelming. I lick my lips. “H-he’ll come back soon, George, I’m sure. Try not to worry.”

“I should get to my stall,” he says, smiling sadly. “Thanks for listening, Marley.”

“Wait. Let me know if I can do anything or if you just want to chat. You have my number.”

“Thanks.”

I watch him retreat, heading to the cotton candy stall. I’ll be skipping that one today.

How long before the cops start searching?

Will they just assume he’s dead when they can’t find him? That’s what we’re waiting for.

“I’ve been looking for you,” Atlas says, throwing his arm over my shoulder and holding me a little too tight. He’s worried. “Was that George?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

“And?”

“He’s gone to the cops about Arthur being missing, but they’re not worried yet.”

“We knew this was coming,” he says, robotically kissing the side of my head. “It’s not a surprise.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m not freaking out. George is worried. Arthur has someone who worries about him.”

He wraps me in his arms. To everyone else we look loved up, but I know he’s trying to stop anyone from seeing my expression or meltdown. His embrace feels forced. Why didn’t he tell me about the car?

Cold dread pumps through my veins. This is going to unravel.

No. I’m not going to let it get that far. I won’t fall apart and be the reason we all lose out on college and end up in prison.

We just have to get through this initial phase.

I can’t believe I’m wishing for a time when everyone gives up on Arthur.

“I’m fine, but Jesse isn’t. Did you know that Arthur’s car is missing?”

He holds me tighter. “I can feel your heart racing.”

I pull back and scowl at him. “Atlas, did you know that Arthur’s car is missing?”

“Not here,” he says, smiling and almost making me laugh at how his expression and tone are polar opposites. But I’m not laughing, because he knows.

“Not here? You have to be kidding! Why are you lying to me?”

He doesn’t let go, and his expression never changes, but I can feel the tension rolling from his body. “Jesse took care of it. He had to. We need it to appear like he went away.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you were struggling. You took a day off. We couldn’t risk your reaction.”

“My reaction. My reaction to stealing the car from the guy we’djust—”

“Stop,” he hushes.

No one around us is paying any attention whatsoever. I narrow my eyes, wanting nothing more than to shove him away. His hands feel like ice around my back.

“Don’t tell me to stop! I can’t believe you all did this and kept it quiet.”

“What choice did we have? You were physically sick, babe, and we didn’t want to make it worse.”

“Now you’re making it seem like you were doing me a favor. You’re with them, aren’t you? Thinking I’m going to crack like an egg and drop us all in prison. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in a cell either. And I don’t want to hurt my parents!”

“All right, all right. I’m sorry. I don’t know how to do this, Marley. I’m trying to figure out what’s best as I go. God, I’m not good at this.”

“I don’t want you to keep things from me.”

He drops his gaze for half a second before looking at me again. “Okay.”

“Where’s the car?”

“Jesse wouldn’t say. Just told us that it’s taken care of.”

“What about Luce?”

“She knows but she didn’t go with him.”

Of course she knows.

“Right.”

Well, at least it’s only Jesse’s DNA in it.

“Can we have some fun this afternoon?” he asks, pulling me closer. “Please?”

“Sure,” I reply, though I feel like doing anything else. “Come on.”

Playing innocent is the hardest task I have taken on. Everything changes when you’ve committed a crime as horrific as what we’ve done. You start to look at things differently, wonder if people are looking at you because they know. Did George ask me because I pass the house or because he suspects me?

Has Rhett found out somehow?

Do I look like a killer?

I hold Atlas’s hand tight and we walk around the fair, doing a lap to see what we can stomach pretending is fun. I’m hyperaware of George at the cotton candy stall. He hasn’t searched for me again, as far as I’m aware, but that doesn’t stop my heart from dropping every time I see a tall blond guy walking in my direction.

“What do you want to do?” Atlas asks.

I’m about to argue when I see the fear in his eyes. He might not be outwardly struggling, but he’s as shattered as I am. No need to make this harder.

Clearing my throat, I reply, “What about if you try to win me a two-dollar teddy by knocking down coconuts? It’ll only cost you thirty bucks.”

The teddies are probably worth about thirty cents, but it makes him laugh and makes me feel like maybe one day I can be normal again.

“You got it.”

We reach the stall, and Rhett is throwing a wooden ball, Ruthie beside him giggling as if Rhett has ever made a decent joke in hislife.

“Let’s come back later,” I say.

“What? No, Marley. He’s not getting the satisfaction.”

“I don’t want to be anywhere near him…not after the dares.”

Not after Arthur.

“That’s exactly why we’re staying. Everything’s fine.”

Ruthie looks over her shoulder, and her pointy face turns into one big scowl. “Oh great, the trash is out to play.”

Rhett does a double take and smirks as he spots us. “Want a turn, Atlas?”

“I’ll wait.”

“I don’t mind sharing. Here,” he says, holding out a ball.

If it wasn’t for you and those stupid dares…

I narrow my eyes at Rhett, hate pouring into my bloodstream.

“Just finish up and move on, Rhett. You’re exhausting,” I say.

“Hey, I insist. Atlas needs to do something to cheer you up.”

Atlas’s hand tightens around mine, but his face doesn’t display any hint of alarm. He just looks like he wants to hit Rhett.

“Marley’s got nothing to do with you.”

“Um. Hello!” Ruthie snaps, seething as Rhett pays more attention to us than her.

I don’t know why she stays with him. Absolutely no self-respect. She turns her gaze, and a shudder rocks through my body at the smirk on her face and dark glint in her eye. It’s a look like she knows something that I don’t. It’s smug and makes her ugly.

“Come on, this is boring anyway,” Rhett says, taking Ruthie’s hand and dragging her away.

“Did you see the way she just looked at me?” I ask Atlas.

“She hates you because he likes you.”

“No.” I have no time for that drama. “I’m not talking about her asshole boyfriend. It was…It put me on edge. Like the way a serial killer looks right before the final blow.”

“You think she wants to kill you?” He arches his brow like he thinks I’m losing it. That’s absolutely how I feel, but this isn’t about Ruthie.

“No,” I sigh. “I’m saying…”

He waits, running his hands up and down my arms as if I’m cold. “What are you saying?”

Honestly, I don’t know. There’s just something about her that’s put me on edge. More than usual.

“Ignore me. You’re probably right, she’s never been a fan.”

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Def. Have you noticed that Luce and Jesse are keeping their distance?” I ask, spotting Luce look over and quickly away again.

“They’re just doing their own thing.”

“Since when?”

He shrugs. “Stop reading into everything. Are you bored with me?”

“Of course not, I just think it’s weird they’re not with us.”

I look around for Jesse and find him quickly. His eyes pinned on me, watching like I’m his prey. He’s jolted by Theo, another member of the team, and it takes Jesse a second to greet him.

“They have other friends too,” Atlas says, noticing where I’m looking.

Good. He’s been nothing but crappy to me since that night. I don’t really want Jesse with us…but Luce is my best friend. I hate that she’s keeping her distance.

With an uneasy gnawing in my stomach, I ask, “Are you going to win me a tiny teddy, then?”

Atlas laughs and flexes his muscles. He has a good arm—that’s what got him on the football team. I follow him to the front, and he picks up one of the three wooden balls.

My attention is pulled away after he’s thrown the first ball, eyes drifting to George’s stand. The hairs on the back of my neck stand as I notice George staring back at me. Then he quickly turns to Jesse and Luce.

I gasp quietly. They’ve gone over to him. Why would they voluntarily talk to him?

George hands over two sticks of cotton candy, and they all laugh at something Jesse just said.

My stomach rolls, bile hitting the back of my throat. I feel like the world is spinning. I want them away from George.

“I just need the bathroom, be back in a minute,” I tell Atlas. He barely acknowledges me, too distracted, and I jog to the building.

The doors are open but thankfully the bathroom is deserted.

I grip the edges of the sink and look in the mirror. Atlas is right, I’m struggling. Big-time. How the hell am I going to get through the last few weeks of school?

Breathing deeply, I wait until I don’t feel like I might pass out and then turn the faucet on to splash some cold water on my face.

Water drips down my wrists, soaking into the sleeves bunched at my elbows.

“Get it together,” I whisper to my ghostly reflection, the horror of what I’ve done stripping the electric blue from my eyes.

I walk out of the bathroom and almost jolt. George is moving toward me.

“You okay?” I ask, managing to keep my voice level, when inside I’m freaking out.

Has he figured it out?

Frowning, he asks, “Are you?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Nothing, you just look a bit jumpy. Pale.”

I force a laugh. “Sorry, didn’t expect anyone to be there. Halls are quiet. I’m always pale. I was thinking, have you tried the green lake?”

“The what?”

“Right, you’re not from around here. Um, it’s the lake right at the bottom of the mountain, surrounded by so much moss all you can see is green. I’ve only been there a few times because it’s so far away, but I’m thinking that wouldn’t be an issue for Arthur.”

“Thanks, I’ll tell the cops. Sounds like I’d get lost if I tried finding it.”

I nod. “For sure you would.”

“I just wish he’d let me know he’s okay.”

“He probably forgot. Doesn’t usually have to tell anyone he’s taking off.”

George scratches his jaw. “Yeah, you’re—”

“Marley.”

George and I both startle and turn to find Jesse.

“I’ll see you around,” George says, walking off toward the bathrooms. I want to go after him and figure out what’s going on.

Where is Luce? She was right with Jesse.

“What?” I say as he approaches, trying to act casual. The scowl on his face and his rigid shoulders make me nervous. He wants to intimidate me.

Mission accomplished.

“Why are you talking to him again?”

It takes every ounce of courage I have not to step back. “He came up to me, Jesse. What would you like me to do, ignore him?”

“Yeah.”

I tilt my head. “Because that would look totally normal. Stop focusing on me and start thinking about yourself. Is there CCTV anywhere you drove Arthur’s car?”

He narrows his eyes, jaw twitching at being challenged. “That’s not for you to worry about.”

“How can you say that? I’m not the one leaving DNA in Arthur’s freaking car.”

“There is no DNA left, and I’m not the one getting cozy with his grandson.”

No DNA left. So maybe he burned it or drove it into a river.

“Grow up, we were just talking. I’m done here, you need to cool off,” I say, moving past him.

He doesn’t call me back or say anything else, but I also don’t hear his footsteps. I can feel his gaze burning the back of my head.