Then I squished up my eyes because it wasn’t a mouse. It was a worm. My mouth opened to scream but nothing came out. Then two worms. Wiggling. Giant and dirty, slugging on the ground.

I swallowed mouthfuls of air. I got a tiny bit closer. My head was full of cloud and turning into a purple storm. They weren’t worms. They were fingers. Just the tops. Filthy like Carl’s were, and they reached and stretched. They were chewed and scabby. Coming out from under the bathroom door.

Chicken scritched at them. I thought I heard, I thought I heard—

I dropped the slimy ball. It bounced and bounced. Far away. Stars sparkled around my face. My head got hollow. The dream changed so quick. It was the worst thing ever. Then my air was gone. I was falling into a hole. Glitter and zigzags. Then black and black and black.

ROWAN

“You’re still sleeping?”

Am I?

“You need to stay awake.”

The sun never comes up. And all I want to do is dream. Dream about home.

Gloria stares down at me. Her face is worried.

You were crying on TV.

“I told them. I told them you’re lost.”

Watch out for Carl. He’s coming back. Any second.

“Oh no he’s not. That man can’t hurt me.”

He might. But he’s not bad, Gloria. Like Maisy thinks. He’s made mistakes. He can’t trust himself.

“Can’t he?”

No.

“You’re sort of trapped here, aren’t you?”

I’m just under the bridge.

“They already looked. You’re not there.”

What? Where am I?

“You drowned. In the lake.”

Can you come pull me out?

“That’s Telly’s decision. He’s still angry. We’re talking about it, but it’s up to him.”

I’ll be better this time.

“Yes, you will.”

I just want to get home.

“Soon you’ll be walking out of those woods with a hell of a story.”

A hell of a story.

I can do that.

Gloria?

“What?”

You don’t need to cry anymore. I know you miss me, but I’m not far. I’m not far away at all.

—