Light exploded out of the sky. In the flash I saw Rowan was only bones inside his clothes. He didn’t come closer. He didn’t put his fists on the door. He didn’t try to sneak in or kick nothing. He just looked back at me.

I sniffed. The smell of flowers crept down the stairs. That was Gloria’s bubble bath. The water stopped, and I could hear her singing a song.

I put my hand up and pressed it against the door. Rowan wobbled in the rain. I squeezed my eyes tight together. I knew he was hurt inside, but he probably didn’t feel it. Same when I sliced my finger on tinfoil. Nothing was there for a while, but later dots of blood dribbled out.

There was an empty thump. When I opened my eyes, Rowan was jumping off the deck. He ran fast like he was flung from a slingshot. Another blast of yellow lit up the sky, and Rowan disappeared into the woods.

ROWAN

I ran. Over the grass. Water splashing around my ankles. I leapt through the scratchy bushes at the edge of our backyard. And then I was surrounded by darkness, thick and heavy on my skin.

I slowed down. An arm bent, my face tucked into my elbow, I swung my other hand around. Patted the trees and branches. Rain rolled from leaf to leaf, striking my head, sliding down my back. The lightning flashed, giving me a snapshot. I crept forward. Step by step.

Keep a straight line. You’ll get there.

I lifted my legs up and over imaginary boulders. Moss squished under my feet, then rocks, dead twigs. Scraping me. My skin so cold I could barely feel it. But I was doing it. I was getting away from her. And him, too. I hated them both. How could Telly do that? He was the one who told me not to tell about my stupid bus ride to the garage. And then, when he didn’t like my old ladies jab, which was just the truth, he opened his mouth and spilled everything. He was worse than my school counselor. Worse because he was my own father. And what was wrong with going to see him anyway? Even Mrs. Spooner thought it was a good idea.

But Mrs. Spooner didn’t know them. Nobody did. Gloria only cared about herself. And Telly was nothing more than a charlatan. A swindler. Who would have guessed he’d con his own son? Make me actually believe he loved me. Well, I wasn’t going to fall for that shit again. I was never going back there. Maisy would just have to fend for herself.