The Good Girls

Chapter 30

EVIE STOOD IN THE DOORWAY leading from Freddie's vast double-height living room to the back hall. All around her were witches, ghouls, Kardashians, and Mileys, and even some kid who'd dressed up like the Twitter blue bird. Quite a few of them were staring at her, aghast. Others had smirks on their faces. Everyone was taking in how pale she clearly looked, how her hair was unwashed, how she was wearing a gray American Apparel tee and black Nike shorts—not exactly a costume. Evie Grimhilde has become a freak, was surely what they were whispering. But it didn't matter. After tonight, she'd never see any of them again. She just had to find Mal first. But as hard as she looked, she couldn't find a pale purple haired girl in a dirty black hoodie.

Evie had a horrible feeling Mal had seen that post Lonnie had written to Jane. She deserves it, Lonnie had said that day in the woods. She's a horrible person. Had that Facebook post about Jane been the straw that broke the camel's back?

She'd been calling Mal nonstop since she realized she was missing, but Mal hadn't answered. Evie knew she'd come here it was the only thing that made sense—and it broke her heart. Mal had promised. She was so much sicker than Evie realized. She desperately needed help, help that Evie could no longer provide. Evie just hoped she could find her friend and get her that help before Mal found Lonnie.

She felt someone's hand on her shoulder and turned. Audrey, Uma, and Jane swarmed around her. Uma looked really cute in her cheerleader costume, and Audrey looked tall and stately in a simple black flapper dress. Jane hadn't dressed up and seemed a little rumpled. All three girls seemed guarded and almost fearful. "Evie, can we talk?" Audrey asked.

Evie frowned. "I need to find—"

"It's really, really important," Uma cut her off.
Evie stared around at them. They were closing in on her, boxing her in.

"Okay," she said carefully, her hackles going up. "But only for a sec. I'm sort of looking for someone."

Jane visibly flinched. Audrey took Evie's arm and led her through the entryway and down a long hallway toward the bedroom wing. It was quieter there, though they could hear cackles from Freddie's room a few doors down. The faint smell of pot wafted toward them.

Evie looked at her friends, their stony expressions suddenly making her uncomfortable. She let out a nervous laugh. "What is it? You guys are freaking me out."

They stared at her for a long moment. Finally, Audrey spoke. "Is there anything you want to tell us?"

Evie felt a pull in her stomach. She had a lot to tell them . . . but she didn't dare. "Um, about what?" she asked as casually as she could.

Audrey pulled something small out of her pocket and dangled it in Evie's face. "About this, maybe?"

Evie snatched it from her fingers. "That's my earring! Where did you find it?"

Audrey looked pained. "In my house. The day Leslie was attacked—in the same room."

Evie's heart plummeted, and her face crumpled into a pained expression. Mal. She must have borrowed it.

"And I noticed potassium cyanide on your porch," Uma said in a small voice. "The same thing that killed Ben."

"I saw you driving around Lonnie's house," Jane added, looking just as tortured.

"Evie, what's going on?" Audrey cried. "Are you doing all this?"

Evie blinked hard, suddenly understanding. "Wait, you think I did it?" she blurted. But it made sense. She'd skulked by Lonnie's house just to make sure Mal wasn't there. Her mom had god-knows-what on the porch, and surely Mal had known that and stolen some. And Mal had worn Evie's earrings when she pushed Leslie off the ledge.

"I know what it looks like," she said. "But honestly, guys. It wasn't me. You have to believe me."

Audrey looked disappointed. "Evie, all signs point to you. What are we supposed to think?" Her face crumpled. "The question is . . . why? Why would you do this to us?"

"Just trust me, okay?" Evie said frantically, her eyes darting back and forth. The music's volume had been pumped up even louder, making her head swim. She craned her neck to look for Mal, worried she might be hunting Lonnie down. "I have an explanation for you, but I can't get into it right now."

She tried to move past them, but Audrey caught her arm. "You have to get into it right now," she hissed. "We're not letting you go until you do."
Something inside Evie snapped. "Let go of me!" she screamed.

"No can do," Jane said, forming a wall behind Audrey.

Evie struggled to get out of Audrey's grip. "Let go! I have to stop her!"

Uma's brow furrowed. Jane cocked her head. Audrey clamped even tighter on Evie's arm. "Stop who?"

Evie stared at them crazily. God, she didn't want to say the name out loud. As soon as it escaped her lips, she would betray Mal for good. "Isn't it obvious?" she cried. "Who isn't here right now? Who else knows about our list?"

"You, Evie!" Jane practically screamed. "You know! You're the one behind this!"

"No, I'm not!" Tears formed in Evie's eyes. She could practically feel Mal's presence nearby, Mal witnessing this. Hating Evie . Finally realizing what a shitty friend Evie was, something Evie had known all along. She'd promised Mal she'd keep the secret. She'd sworn on her life never to tell a soul . . . and here she was, telling everyone.

She pressed her hands over her face. "I didn't hurt anyone! It's Mal, okay!" She wrenched away from Audrey. "I'm trying to keep her safe. And I'm trying to keep Lonnie safe. But Mal is sick, guys, and if you don't help me find her right now, she's going to get Lonnie next."

She looked up at the others, expecting expressions of shock . . . but also understanding. But Audrey had gone pale. Uma had her hand pressed over her mouth. Jane looked almost . . . pitying. And it all seemed like they shared a secret, something they hadn't let Evie in on.

Her skin began to prickle. "So are you coming, or what?" she asked sharply.

Finally Audrey spoke, her voice unsteady. "You want us to come look for Mal?" she repeated.

"Mal . . . Moors?" Jane whispered.

"Yes," Evie spat. "Our friend. Mal Moors." She blinked at them. They all seemed to have frozen solid. "What?" she snapped. "Why aren't you listening to me?"

"Evie," Uma said quietly. She exchanged a glance with the others. Audrey's eyes were filled with tears. Jane's chin bobbed.

Uma looked at Evie again, her expression sad and scared and very, very worried. "Evie..."

"Mal's been dead for over a year."