“Who are you and what have you done with my sister?” Zadie’s the one who really should be asking that question, Finn thought as she struggled to remember her own birthday.

“I know, right?” Zadie moved into the living area and sat on the arm of the couch. “So what do you think happened?”

It took a moment for Finn to realize she was talking about the Van Houten girls. “I believe them.”

Zadie looked thoughtful for a moment. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I do, too.”

Finn looked out the window to see a sparrow perched on the feeder, completely unperturbed by her presence.

“Have you heard anything from Mom yet?” Zadie asked.

Finn remembered the feeling of her mother’s hand on her shoulder. Like a butterfly landing. “I had one of Amy Van Houten. Mom was in it.”

“What was she doing?”

“She was just sitting with her on a tree. Amy’s tree. They were friends, sort of.”

“Yeah, Myron mentioned that.”

“If they were friends, maybe Mom told her where she was going.”

Zadie looked wary. “I mean … maybe, but I don’t think Myron’s gonna let those girls go back out there any time soon.”

“You’re probably right…”

“He might let us stay a little longer if you need more time.”

Finn nodded noncommittally. More time was exactly what she needed, but she’d already asked her foster parents to extend her trip once. What were they going to say when she broke the news that she wasn’t coming home the following day like she’d promised?

“There’s also this…” Finn fished the painted rock from her pants’ pocket and tossed it to Zadie, who looked back at her quizzically. “Turn it upside down.”

Her sister did as she was told. “What am I supposed to be seeing?”

“What does it look like to you?”

“An upside-down volcano.”

“Rowan thinks it looks like a coastline.”

“Oh. Yeah, I can see that.” She handed the rock back to Finn. “Are you telling me you want to drive to the coast?”

“I don’t know. I just thought it was interesting, that’s all.”

Zadie studied her for such an uncomfortably long time that Finn thought she was trying to start a staring contest. “You seem … different,” her sister said finally.

Finn. My name is Finn. “In what way?”

Zadie held her gaze a second longer, then stood up from the couch. “Sorry. That was a stupid thing to say.” She smiled apologetically. “I’m gonna go to the house. See if Myron needs help with dinner. Wanna come with?”

“Actually, I might take a shower.”

“Okay.” Zadie stood and walked to the top of the stairs. “I’ll come find you later.” She pulled the door behind her with a soft click.