“The thing is,” she began, choosing her words carefully, “my dad might come back tomorrow morning.”

So that was it. Her father.

Elise took a deep breath. “Things are a little weird between us right now.” She sounded pained, like she didn’t want to have to admit that there was something wrong.

“Is everything okay?” I asked. Finally, I thought. Maybe she’d tell me what was going on with her dad.

“Yeah, of course,” she said, a little too quickly. “Everything’s fine. He’s just being kind of an asshole.” I wasn’t convinced. When she saw the concern on my face, she added, “It’s nothing I can’t handle.” She attempted a smile that ended up looking more like a grimace. She wasn’t willing to talk, but I knew if I pushed now she’d only dig in harder. I was frustrated that she was still shutting me out but I tried to let it go.

“What are you in the mood for?” I asked once we were in my basement trying to pick a movie.

She took a moment to think about it. “Christian Bale?”

I laughed. “Okay.”

We fell asleep on the couch in the early hours of the morning, The Dark Knight Rises still playing in front of us.

That was the night I realized Elise loved superheroes, because superheroes were powerful and the one thing she could never tolerate was feeling powerless. That was partly why she loved playing pranks, why she was always looking out for her friends—she didn’t want anyone else to feel powerless either.

MONDAY // AUGUST 28 // DAY 353

22.

“I’m going to give you a chance now, Remy,” Detective Ward says. “I’m going to give you a chance to change your statement.”

Vera cuts in. “I need a moment with Remy. Alone.”

“No,” I say. “It’s okay. I don’t want to change my statement. I was there, and Elise only said that I wasn’t because she thinks she’s protecting me.” Elise is telling the truth—I wasn’t there—but the only way I can save her now is if Ward believes that I was there.

“And what, exactly, is she protecting you from?” Detective Ward says, an edge to her voice now, her impatience showing again, that flash of teeth.

“Nothing,” I say, voice strong all of a sudden, strong enough to surprise even me. “She thinks she’s protecting me. She’s worried I’ll get into trouble, she’s—” I break off. “She does this. A lot.”

“Lie?” Detective Ward asks, lifting her pen to make a note.

“No!” I need her to see Elise like I do, but I don’t know how to make her understand. We stare at each other, eyes locked. I feel like I’m in the fight of my life—no, the fight for my life. For Elise’s life.

I’ve already lost Jack.

I can’t lose her too.

Heart racing, I manage to hold her gaze until she breaks eye contact. My head is pounding, but this small victory gives me strength.

“Let’s go over it again,” Detective Ward says, scanning her notes. “One more time, from the top. What were you doing before you and Elise went to her house?”