I crossed to the small desk in the living space and eased into the chair. I hit a few keys on my laptop and signed in. Thankfully, an internet connection was one thing the Dowds had insisted upon when they moved in. Everything else on Harbor was self-sufficient. Solar panels and a generator. A filtration system to remove the salt from our water source. The greenhouse and the chickens. But Paul Dowd had insisted on satellite internet for the estate.

I opened a separate window on my laptop and signed into my virtual private network. My brother had always had a thing for computers, and this was an extra layer of precaution. Because with Michael’s good behavior, he’d been granted more privileges. And one of those was computer access. I’d deleted all of the email addresses and social media accounts associated with my name after the first message I’d received from him. I miss you, sissy. Come visit. We haven’t finished our game.

I shuddered and pulled my fleece tighter around me, zipping it up. As if the warmth of the fabric could chase away the chill of the memories. I logged onto my messaging site and pulled up the latest from my thread with Evergreen13.

Evergreen13: Did you peek in the crates? I would have. What if they’re hiding dead bodies?

I snorted and typed out a reply.

Phoenix26: Things would be smelling a lot worse if there were dead bodies.

Evergreen13: True. You holding up okay? What time does Mr. Enigma get there?

The tension that had turned my shoulders to granite eased a bit. No matter how alone I felt at times, I always had E. I didn’t know her real name or where she was located, but she’d been my lifeline since we met on a messaging thread about how to live under the radar.

I’d been a lurker on the forum for months before finally commenting on a post. Ever since I’d come to terms with the fact that Michael would get out one day. I’d abandoned thoughts of college and conservatory programs. I’d focused on how to stay alive.

And E had been a godsend in that arena. She was far more knowledgeable than I was. Over four years ago, she’d begun giving me advice over a messaging app. Soon, a friendship was born. We didn’t know everything about each other, but with the things that did slip, I was sure we could’ve figured out each other’s identities. But the silent promise between us was that we wouldn’t try.

Phoenix26: I’m fine. A.k.a. slowly going out of my mind trying to make sure everything’s perfect for Enigma’s arrival. And he gets here in…shit…fifteen minutes. I need to go. I want to meet him at the dock when he arrives.