I turned it so she could see it, and her jaw dropped, taking in my face, half covered in a dark purple bruise, my expression haunted, my world torn apart. Then she scooted her chair back and stood, steadying herself on the bar. ‘I – I’m sorry,’ she stammered. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t, I just don’t understand. I can’t … I can’t do this.’

‘Please, Ellie. Don’t tell Davis where I am. If you ever cared about me, if you still care about me, if our friendship means anything to you, keep this secret for me,’ I said unsteadily. ‘I’m begging you.’

She stared at me for another moment, then forced a nod, her face ashen, her cheeks slicked with tears.

‘Okay,’ she said. ‘Jesus. Okay.’

Then she grabbed her things and left.

I looked back at the phone, at my bruise, at all the colors, and I was glad I had taken it. I was glad I would always have this to show.

‘You okay?’ Al asked, as soon as Ellie was gone.

I pushed a few bills her way, more than enough to cover the check, then stood before she could ask me any more questions.

‘No,’ I said. ‘I’m not.’

I didn’t notice the car behind me until I hit the windy ribbon of two-lane road, my second-to-last turn before I was home. I slowed down as I neared Shadow Creek Road, and the car slowed out of necessity. I paused at the stop sign a minute, as if checking my phone, but they didn’t go around me.

Holding my breath, I pulled out and turned. The car did, too.

I approached the farmhouse, then made a sharp turn into Vera and John’s driveway instead of going to mine. The car moved on without pause, and my breaths seemed to return, but now they came too fast.

I stumbled out, onto their driveway, making my way up to their porch as quickly as I possibly could.

John appeared at the door before Vera. ‘What happened? You look terrified.’ I followed him into the house, my breathing labored, my eyes already half-wet.

‘Did someone hurt you?’ he asked.