I go in search of aspirin and water. To my surprise, Theo is sitting on the sofa, drinking from a mug. The smell of coffee hits me like a truck. I love it, but I can’t drink it with a headache.

“Morning,” I say.

“How are you doing?”

I grab some aspirin, fill a glass with water, and down them. “I’m okay; head is still hurting.”

“Take it easy today…you and Evan.”

I sit and tuck my feet under my butt. “Are you okay with Evan now? It was a little scary knowing he’s been here longer than us, but we didn’t know he was there. Think about it, Kevin could be in that situation months down the line, and we would want people to accept him.”

If we’re all dead, that could happen.

Let’s not think too much about that one.

“I get it,” he replies with a nod. “And clearly you really like him, so he can’t be that bad.”

“I like everyone in here.”

Maybe Evan in a slightly different way.

Theo smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Right.”

“Are we cool? Except for Hazel, you are the first friend I made in here. And I know you wanted us to run when we were let outside, but I’d hate it if we can’t go back to how things were.”

“Do you honestly think it can go back to how it was now?”

I press my lips together, unsure if he means because of what’s happened or because of Evan. I’d ask, but I don’t want to go there with him. Awkward in here would take on a whole new level considering we can’t get away from each other.

“I hope we can. You’ve helped me a lot.”

“You have Evan for that now. He seems to help more. I saw you playing cards.”

“Theo, you could have joined in.”

“I’m not really talking about the card game, Piper.”

Can we move on?

“Hey.” Evan’s smooth voice makes me smile.

Theo lifts his chin in greeting. I look over my shoulder. “Hey. How’s your head?” I ask.

“Not too bad. Yours?”

“Hurts.”

He gives me a small smile. “You’re not used to it.”

But he is, because they’ve sent him from room to room for months. It takes a really strong person to get through that.

Evan sits next to me, his arm pressing against mine. I don’t know if it’s because we got through room three together, but his touch doesn’t make me cringe.

He is comfort. I feel safe.

You’re ridiculous.

“Are we still on for the plan?” Theo asks, his eyes only on me since Evan wasn’t here for the planning.

“Are you sure you want to do it? It’s risky. Like, insanely risky.”

“What plan is this?” Evan interjects.