“Does anyone talk about it?” I ask. “I understand why you might not want to, but when someone else experiences the same thing, it can be helpful to discuss it.”

When my sister died years ago, it helped me to talk to a boy in my class who had gone through the same thing. Before her death, I had never spoken a word to him.

“We do, yeah,” Priya replies. “It helps to get through what’s happened to you.”

“Good.” I give her a smile, and she surprises me by returning it with her own. I didn’t expect that; she’s been quiet and reserved so far.

Priya’s eyes flick to Hazel then back to me, silently asking if she’s okay.

I shrug. Right now, she’s not, but sometimes it takes Hazel a little while to process things. I know how strong she is, so I’m sure she’ll get there.

“Are you hungry?” Kevin asks. “I can make something.”

My stomach rumbles at the thought of food. Thankfully it wasn’t too obvious. “That sounds good. I mean, I’m hungry but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to stomach anything.”

Kevin nods. “I get that. It took me a day to start eating here, but then I was so hungry I felt dizzy. Try to eat… Hazel, too.”

“Thank you.”

“Sandwiches?”

Priya stands. “I’ll help Kevin. We can all have ham and cheese.”

“Sounds good. Thanks,” I reply.

Kevin, Lucie, and Priya go into the kitchen, and it’s basically just me and Theo because Hazel is still staring. I’d love to know what’s going through her head, but it’s almost certainly the worst-case scenario.

“How can you eat?” Hazel whispers. She’s not even really talking to me.

“Do you think people will look for you?” Theo asks.

I look up at him and say, “No,” but I hope he can see the yes in my eyes. Caleb and his friends can’t know. Obviously, they will soon enough, if my parents start a full-scale search, but for now I want them to think they’ve won. Then I want people to notice their reaction when they find my face—and Hazel’s—plastered all over town.

Theo lingers and nods. I think he got my real answer.

Finally, he smiles. “We’ll all be all right. We have each other.”

“You’re right. Can I ask how many times you’ve been in those rooms?”

How often am I looking at here? One room once a week? More than that?

He dips his chin. “I-I’m not sure. I’ve been in all of them. Rooms one to five multiple times. You can survive them, Piper. You have to stay strong—mentally strong.”

“I can do that.”

“I believe you.” He smiles. “You’re going to be okay.”