He freezes, his eyes staring at something beyond Melissa’s shoulder. Puzzled, the girl turns and sees nothing. But by that time Goatee has already left, taking the bottle with him.

I spot a familiar face marching up to me—Chase. He dumps his plate on the table across from me, slides into the seat without asking. “I’m staying,” he says.

“It would be safer for you to—”

“Dad’s not leaving. He wants me to. I won’t. It’s not about Riley anymore.” He looks down at her food. “It’s about Mom,” he says defiantly. “We were really close. Dad thinks there’s something here that can explain the plane accident. They fought before she left on her trip, and I—I don’t want to leave him alone when he’s in this frame of mind, you know? He’s never gotten over her death. Frankly I’m not sure I have, either. And if you can’t tell us anything about the crash, then at least give us time to figure it out ourselves.”

“Hold up,” Melissa interrupts, no longer pretending not to eavesdrop. “Can the Dreamer of this island cause plane crashes?”

I pick at my food. “The Diwata would never harm innocents.”

“But if they can magically recreate a new world when they awaken, then they would be able to affect airplanes, right? Plus, one dude who’d been on the plane was found buried here.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know.”

Chase’s shoulders slump. “You’re really planning on going into the cave with them?”

“Yes.”

“Have you been inside before?”

“A few times.”

“Willingly?” This from Melissa.

“It’s not so bad.”

“You’re weird, you know that? But in a good way.”

That makes me smile. “I know.”

Someone shouts Melissa’s name. She groans and pushes her chair back. “Work beckons. Be back later.”

“I wanna apologize for this morning,” Chase says quietly. He pauses, then says all in one breath: “You probably think I’m some weirdo, but the truth is I’ve always felt a bit—pessimistic, you know? Hollywood tends to do that to you. I’m used to people with ulterior motives, and I was wrong to think you’d be the same.”

He hangs his head. “And I’m scared, you know? Being here is starting to feel personal. I looked at that picture I took last night again. That wasn’t some trick of the light. There was some weird—thing—in the room with us. I’m sorry I said it might be a scam. I’m not the smartest. That’s why I like being an influencer. I try my best to have fun and vibe. But I put my foot in my mouth a lot, and people get hurt. Probably did that a lot to Riley—not like that gives her a pass for cheating. But I won’t do that again. I like you, Alon, and I know you’ve got a right to be mad at me, but I was hoping…are we cool?”

Chase’s phone rings again. He shoots an irritated glance at it but relaxes. “Jordan and Rory again.”

“Feeling better today?” came the familiar cheerful voices over the receiver. “Find any more killer trees?”