I’m going to suffocate.

This is just like in the lift that time. There’s no escape.

I want you to have the same surprise as your friends.

What was Claus talking about? What is he doing? I’ve heard him moving around for a few minutes now, but I have no idea what’s happening.

To keep calm, I focus on my right hand, which is getting looser and looser. Meanwhile I listen closely to see if Claus is nearby.

As long as I can hear Claus moving around, I’m safe.

I hear a familiar tune. Claus is whistling cheerfully, as if this is one big party.

What if I don’t get away?

What if I die here?

I start breathing faster, pulling the bag deeper and deeper into my mouth.

The plastic tastes bitter.

What will my mom and dad do when they hear what’s happened?

Will they ever get over this?

I think about Isolde’s parents. Their daughter has committed suicide. All they have left of her is that suicide note. But soon my parents will have nothing.

I’m going to die with a trash bag over my head.

No.

That is not going to happen.

I have to keep fighting.

I wring my hand back and forth again, and the rope suddenly comes free, like a ring stuck on your finger when you soap it up and pull.

Claus stops whistling. I quickly grab the rope so it looks like I’m still tied up.

Footsteps head my way.

“Let’s take a look.”

His voice makes me shiver. Claus is suddenly really close. I smell strong aftershave, which he must have just put on.

He leans over me. Is this the moment to attack? But it’s two hands against one, two eyes against none.

Claus checks my left hand and gives the ropes a quick tug.

He’s going to find out what I’ve done.

In my head, I count the seconds.

Any moment now…

There are three loud knocks.

“Coming!” Claus’s voice is loud beside my ear.

“It’s your friends,” I hear him say. “Are you ready to party?”

Then he yanks the trash bag off my head.

VIP

Fender

I’ll count to ten, and if he hasn’t opened the door by then, I’m knocking it down.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

The door swings open. In front of us is the boy I saw in the hallway.

Perfectly ordinary.

Black hair.

Black glasses.

Green eyes.

Not handsome.

Not ugly.

The boy next door.

What did she see in him?

“You’re on time. Good.” Claus steps aside and beckons us in. “Come on, guys.”

Lucas stands there, frozen. Kate hesitates. I’m the first to react.

“Where is Linnea?” I hiss.

“She’s inside. Calm down. She’s fine.”