“MARCUS!” LOU YELLED, running over and throwing her arms around him. The echo of her voice mixed with the lingering notes of her cousin’s piano tune. “Everyone is looking for you! I can’t believe …” She realized he was leaning away from her, and she stepped back. It had only been a few months since she’d seen him, but he looked so different. There were dark patches underneath his eyes, and his cheeks, which were normally so full and flushed, were sunken and pale. Even his bright red curls seemed dimmer. “Are you okay? Your parents are totally freaking out.”

“Sounds like a normal day in the Geller household.” He took her hands and squeezed.

“Your mom told us that you were missing. I flew with my mom to Cleveland. The police are involved and everything. We’ve got to get you home!”

Marcus glanced around the room. “This isn’t good. This isn’t good at all.” He lowered his voice and whispered something gruffly to himself—something that sounded like, Why her?

“How do we get out of here, Marcus? The things that I’ve seen …”

Marcus shook his head. “Getting out of here might be harder than you think.”

“I have a pretty good idea how hard it is. It’s why I asked.”

He gasped and then pulled Lou around the other side of the piano. “There are a couple kids in the doorway. Do you see them too?”

Lou realized that Sadie and Cal were watching her reunion with Marcus, and she let out a sigh of relief. “I thought you guys left me by myself.”

Sadie raised an eyebrow. “We were right behind you the whole time.”

Cal nodded. “We followed you here.”

It didn’t make sense. Lou had watched them run off ahead of her. Had something gotten into her head? Was the shadow creature from the movie screen trying to split them up? She didn’t feel like hashing it out. They were all together now, and with Marcus here, Lou finally felt like they stood a chance against whatever dark powers were in control of the dollhouse. “Sadie … Cal … This is Marcus. My cousin.”

“The one you were telling us about earlier?” Cal asked. Lou nodded.

Sadie stepped into the room. “That was you playing the piano?” Marcus nodded. “You’re really good,” she said. For the first time since they’d met, Lou noticed Sadie’s eyes sparkle. Marcus shrugged. “I play too,” she went on. “Well, I used to play, anyway. I’d love to start again.” She looked around, taking in the number of instruments. “This room is amazing. What an inspiration.”

“There aren’t many places in this house where I feel safe,” said Marcus. Lou thought it was a weird, almost non-answer.

“Me neither,” said Cal, closing the door behind him.