Eli looked at his watch when they were stopped at a light by the train. He opened the backpack, took the device out, and put it back in.

Eden said, “So we stick to the plan.”

The device asked, What’s the plan?

“Just to keep on keeping on,” Eden said.

Doesn’t sound like that’s what you meant.

“We’re trying to help,” Eli said. “If you had any other leads … at all?”

I want to be alone with Eli now.

Eden looked like she didn’t want to leave, raising her eyebrows with worry.

“I’ll be fine,” Eli said. “Go.”

She walked off, and Eli said, “I really need to go home. Can I do that?”

Yes, I’ll behave.

In the apartment, his mother hugged him and said, “I just heard. You okay?”

“Yeah, fine. Just a little weirded out. I’m gonna lie down.”

“Of course,” she said. “Your sister’s home sick. Just FYI.”

In his room, the device buzzed in his bag and he opened it.

They’re plotting something.

Eli said, “I don’t think so.”

They don’t want to help me anymore.

Eli said, “We all want to help, we do. It’s just … without more to go on …”

How do I know I can trust you?

“I think you just have to believe me.”

I need you to prove it.

“How?”

Tell your sister about me.

“After what happened to Svetlana? No way.”

TELL YOUR SISTER ABOUT ME NOW.

“Nope!” he said brightly.

TICKTOCK.

The device started a five-minute countdown.

What choice did he have? He knocked on the door to his sister’s room even though it was open. “Hey,” he said in a soft voice. “There’s this cool toy I want to show you.”

“What is it?” she asked as he held out the device.

“Sort of like a phone and a computer.”

“What does it do?” she asked.

“Just makes up fun rules and stuff. Like you can’t get it wet.”

“What happens if you get it wet?”

“Well, I don’t know. But here’s the important thing. You’re in on the game now, but it’s a secret game, okay?”

“So how do I play?”

“Well, right now all you do is keep it a secret, okay?”

“That’s no fun at all,” she said.

“I’m sure it’ll be more fun for you later. Just promise me. Secret?” He held up a hand. They had a secret handshake. He couldn’t think of the last time they’d actually done it, but they both remembered it. The deal was locked in—a secret pact made via slaps and fist bumps and high fives.