“Open the door, Ever,” I yelled. No answer. I pounded it, kicking the door in a rage, thinking she’d open it before I caused any real damage. There was no answer from Ever, but I nearly had a heart attack when softly spoken words came from behind me.

“There’s no one here yet.”

My hand flew to the small of my back and discovered my holster and gun had been taken from me. I pivoted to face where the voice had come from. Across the room, another girl sat on an identical whitewashed iron-posted bed.

What have you done, Ever?

2

The House

“It’s too early,” the girl said.

She approached me timidly, studying me as if she were gauging my anger level. She needn’t have worried. All the life drained away from me as I sat on the edge of my bed.

I tried to fight against the waves of panic rippling through my body. I was being held here, that much was true. But where was I? And where was my pistol? Slowing my breathing, I tried to regain control of my thoughts.

Hold it together. You’re not alone, I thought.

The girl sat beside me, and then took my hand in hers.

Calm down. Use this to your advantage, I thought. I scrutinized the girl. She seemed friendly and eager to talk. She would probably be more helpful than Ever. I smiled, hoping to encourage her to open up.

“They brought you in so late last night. You probably don’t remember much,” the girl said as she patted my hand.

I decided to go with it, to play along.

“Yeah. You’re right.” I massaged both temples, eager to be free from her grip I felt lasted longer than was appropriate. “I’m sorry if I woke you when I came in.”

“It was no trouble,” the girl said. “I was beginning to think they’d never bring me a sister.”

Sister?

Out of nervous habit, my fingers drifted to my neck, seeking comfort in the two pendants I always wore.

Gone.

Ever. She had taken them along with my pistol. A renewed sense of rage raced through me, erasing my desire to understand where I was. My new goal was to get out of this place and get Ever.

“All the other girls already got theirs,” the girl said. “I guess the old saying holds true.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

When she looked up, her expression was a mix of curiosity and concern.

“I’m sorry,” I said, quickly trying to win her affection back. “I’m not at my best today.” I rubbed my temples again, hoping she’d credit my forgetfulness to a troubled sleep.