Nope, no, no, no, fuck this, this was creepy as shit. Even though my mind jumped straight to Brougham—that asshole—something small and secret whispered, “But what if it’s real?” What if the Pincers were real and they knew I was in the room alone? Mom and Ainsley were both fast asleep by this point, and I couldn’t wake them up for this, could I? Wasn’t that a little hysterical? Was I hysterical?

I squished up against the arm of the couch and sent a text to Brougham demanding an explanation. When two minutes had passed and he still hadn’t responded—and something scraped against the window that might have been a tree branch but also might have been a Pincer searching for a way inside—I called him.

He answered in a breathless voice. “Hey?”

“Did you move everything in my living room?”

“Why would you think that?”

Oh no, oh god, it wasn’t him. At least if I died now, I’d have him on the phone to witness my screaming. He could tell my parents what happened. “Because everything’s moved.”

“That does make sense then.”

“Did you or not?”

“Well, let’s see. Did I have any opportunity?”

Oh, of course he didn’t. He’d been right there with me the whole time. Unless … “I went to the bathroom halfway through,” I said triumphantly.

“Right. Well, logically, the evidence does point to me.”

“I’m only going to ask you one more time. Did. You. Do. It?”

“Before I answer, I’d like to clarify real quick, why do you feel the need to ask that question at all?”

“What do you mean?”

“You do know Pincers don’t actually exist?”

Was that amusement in his voice? “Brougham, I am the only one awake in this freaking house, and—”

“Come on, Phillips, you told me you had a strong stomach for horror.”

“I’m going to kill you. I’m going to get in my car, find a hacksaw, and break your window to—”

“Calm down, calm down,” he said. “It was me, I promise. There aren’t any Pincers. I thought you’d notice while I was there.”

“You’re not funny, Brougham.”

“Incorrect. I’m heaps funny.”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“Don’t forget to close your curtains. The Pincers can see auras in the dark, remember?”

I rolled my eyes, then hopped up and did what he said. Just in case. “I hate you.”

“I don’t think you do.”

I went to retort, but then remembered something I’d forgotten in my panic. “Hey, um. Is everything okay over there, before I go?”

“Oh.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Yeah, it’s fine. Dad’s gone out and Mum’s passed out on the couch.”

“Is she okay?”