2|| Whispers in the Wind

28|| the truth

Kalyani

It was 6:50. Sharp.

They were expecting Sarah pretty soon. Everyone was here, settled in Kalyani's lawn, except for Wilder. He'd said he was going to be a little late, which was outrageous, but oh well. Kalyani stood at the far edge of Shannaway Avenue, which was a ridiculous name in itself and oh, she really needed to calm down.

"Time?" she asked Leo.

"6:50, just like the last time you asked."

"You need to loosen up just a little. We're going to be hella stressed for the rest of the night, so may as well relax now," Aria said, squeezing her shoulder.

But how could she loosen up? She was terrified. All this had been her plan, but revelation after revelation just kept piling up. Her house used to be Roxanne's house, which meant if they couldn't get rid of her tonight, something terrible would happen. Maybe even to a family member. What had Roxanne said earlier? That if she couldn't have Sarah, she'd take someone else.

Kalyani couldn't bear losing any of these people. They'd come too far with her, against all odds.

She tried to distract herself with happy thoughts, like the time Arlo said she would prank call Principal Bustamònte next week. But what if she's gone next week?

What a fantastic, cheerful thought tp have. "Time?"

"6:55. I actually think she should be here by now."

Aria stood, brushing grass off her jeans. "Did she specify she knew where Shannaway Avenue was?"

"I'm guessing she knows, considering she's lived here for her entire life," Jacob said tersely. He'd been stoic and cold ever since he pulled up to her house. He even avoided speaking to Evelyn, who looked concerned for him. Neither of these were good signs.

"If she doesn't come, I guess we can leave some of us here on the lookout and the rest go back to check the fake room," Evelyn suggested. "Maybe Roxanne will be there and we can figure out another way to get rid of her. I know it's unlikely, but still. If we don't come back in ten minutes, come looking for us."

Kalyani wanted to say no- why would they possibly want to negotiate with Roxanne? But what better idea did they have? It was worse to bask in their anxiety for the next forty minutes.

Evelyn took the silence as a yes. "I'll take Jacob, obviously. And Kalyani. The rest of you stay here- remember, ten minutes or we're in trouble."

She turned, beckoning them to follow, and set a timer on her phone. "We're all set. Let's go."

Jacob grabbed a metal shovel from the yard, following closely behind.

Kalyani really didn't want to leave Aria, Arlo, and Leo, but she was curious to see what would happen. An unexplainable sadness washed over her. She touched the back of her hair. The fishtail braid was still there, only super messy now.

She imagined a future where they would all come back safe, right at the ten minute mark, and crash into the rest of the three. Then Arlo would make a signature snarky remark, and Wilder would turn up late only to discover they'd found nothing and could try again a different day. Roxanne would leave them alone.

The fake room materialized again, still looking little kid's bedroom. There were pink bedspreads that garishly contrasted with the grey-blue of the wall. If they were right, Roxanne would be here. According to the Stones, Roxanne had to be in here. This was her house first. 

"Jacob, are you okay?" Kalyani asked, noticing how fidgety he was.

"It's fine. I'm just a bit concerned for when Roxanne's going to appear, that's all. She does like making an entrance."