“A few people have already written on the wall,” Harper remarked, and leaned in closer to read the messages.

The only people who had written on the wall so far were a couple girls Gemma had gone to school with and her swim coach, all of them sharing the same sentiment—that they hadn’t seen Gemma, but they hoped she came home soon.

“Yeah, there’s no great tips yet, but I just launched it,” Alex said. “It’ll take a little bit of time to take off.”

“You think people will post if they see her?” Harper asked.

“I don’t know,” Alex admitted. “But I hope they do. They might.” He sighed. “I mean, I don’t know where else to look or what else to do. This way we can get other people helping us.”

“That’s true.” Harper leaned back on the steps. “It’s really good, Alex. I’m glad you thought of it.”

“Maybe she’ll see it,” Alex said, his words softer, as if he were speaking to himself. “Maybe if she realizes how much we miss her, she’ll come back.”

Harper turned away from the computer to look directly at Alex. He wore a worried, heartbroken expression.

“Alex, she didn’t leave because she doesn’t care about us,” Harper said gently. “Or because she doesn’t think we care about her.”

He lowered his eyes, and when he spoke, his voice sounded tight. “I know. I just thought … maybe if she realized how much I care…”

“Alex.” Harper put her hand on his back to comfort him. “Those sirens have done something to Gemma. You didn’t see her leave because you were knocked out, but Gemma didn’t want to go with them. They had something over her, and she left to protect us, to protect you and me, because she cares about us.”

“I should’ve done more,” Alex said, growing frustrated. “I’m her boyfriend. I should be helping her.”

“And you are,” Harper said, then corrected herself. “Well, you’re doing everything you can.”

“It doesn’t feel like enough.”

She let out a deep breath. “I know. I feel the same way. But this is all we can do right now. So it has to be enough.”

6. Sisters

SIX

Sisters

Gemma sat on the beach with the sun beating down on her, but it didn’t stifle the chill that ran through her. She’d been shivering all day, and wore layers outside, despite the heat.

Being this close to the ocean was the only thing that seemed to help at all. She sat with her knees pulled up to her chest a few feet from where the water splashed onto the shore, and for once, the watersong in her head was nearly silent.