“Forget about that. They want us to feel uncomfortable, so pretend you don’t care.” I keep my voice low, but there is a good chance they can still hear what I’m saying. I suppose it doesn’t really matter. Of course, we’re not going to be okay with being kidnapped and watched.

Would it even be considered kidnapping since we got in the car willingly? False imprisonment, maybe.

I tug on the hem of my top with my heart racing and pull it over my head. Hazel and I have changed in front of each other hundreds of times before at school and home, so I focus on that, pretending we’re back in her room getting into sweats before a movie marathon.

“It’s just us,” I say. Though it’s a total lie. We might be the only people in this room, but there are at least three sets of eyes watching us.

Hazel slowly lowers her bag to the floor. She pulls the drawstring open.

I take out my own clothes and tug on the sweatshirt. It’s lined with fleece and super-comfortable, I’ll give the psychos that. The sweatpants are the same. It’s something I would wear for lounging around. I stand tall.

Hazel is the polar opposite. When she’s dressed, her shoulders hunch.

“Hey.” I grip her shoulders and push them back, forcing her back straight. “We have each other. You are not giving up. Promise me, Hazel.”

She takes a breath, emotion passing across her face. It looks like determination. She’s trying at least. “Okay, Piper.”

“Let’s get back out there. I really want to hear what Theo and the others have to say.”

And I also really don’t. Then it will be real, all of this will be real. I won’t be able to pretend that Caleb will let us out when we’ve been scared enough.

Do they plan to keep us here forever? What happened to the other missing teenagers from before Theo’s time?

I have so many questions, though I’m not sure I am ready for the answers.

“Piper,” Hazel says, slamming her hand on the bathroom door as I go to open it. “We’re getting out of here, aren’t we?”

“Damn straight, we are.”

One way or another, we’re getting out.

She lowers her hand slowly. My heart doubles in weight with the responsibility. Hazel is counting on me. We’ve always had one another’s back, but the dynamic between us has shifted tonight, and I’m the one bearing the responsibility. It’s not her fault that she’s terrified and probably in shock. But I do hope my Hazel comes back to me soon, because I’m not sure I can do this on my own. I need my partner in crime.