“Listen,” Mrs. Redmond said. “I’ll double-check my office and see if I left anything behind.”

“Thanks,” I said. I handed the phone back to Karter, and he hung up after saying bye.

“You guys having trouble opening doors?” Karter asked. “Are you sure it’s locked? Sometimes in these old houses the hinges get stuck and you have to—” He stopped short.

I followed his gaze to the waist-high grass surrounding us. The blades were stretching toward me like a thousand eager arms. How could I have been so stupid? Walking through the grass with him like that? I couldn’t make him unsee what was happening, and to make things worse, the blades turned an obscene shade of bright, neon green. They refused to be ignored.

Karter grabbed my arm. “Why is it doing that?”

I had a choice to make. I could rush him back into the house and act like I was just as confused as he was. I could start the vicious cycle of lies and pretending, or I could do something I’d never done before. What would it be like to let everything be right out in the open? This friendship with Karter was new and I didn’t want to have to hide the way I did with Gabby back home.

I studied Karter’s expression. He was anxious, but he’d moved closer to me, not away. I took a deep breath.

“It’s me.”

He blinked repeatedly. “You’re making the grass do that?” He glanced around the yard. “How?”

“I—I don’t know. Please, Karter. Please don’t be afraid.” He stayed quiet but didn’t move. I took that as a sign that he wanted to know more. “Come with me.”

I took his hand and pulled him toward the hidden path. We stopped at the tree line. As if on cue, the curtain of vines parted in front of me. Karter’s eyes grew wide. He stepped back, snatching his hand away from me.

“What—what’s happening?” he stammered.

I turned to Karter. If he was freaked out, he could leave. I’d be disappointed but not surprised. “I know it’s strange. But I need to talk to someone about what I found.”

Karter’s chest heaved. He was in a half-crouched stance, like he was ready to sprint away at any moment.

“Just walk with me,” I said. “For a little bit?”

Karter exhaled, long and slow. “Walk with you where?”

I stepped onto the path and looked back at him. “It’ll be easier if I can show you. Please?”

I held out my hand, hoping he’d take it and give me a chance to prove to myself that I was capable of this.

He took a tentative step forward, then put his hand firmly in mine.

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15