The Supernova Effect

Chapter 16

Nova

The second Sheriff Douglas said Amir's name, my stomach twisted.

Not sharply.

Not suddenly.

Slowly.

Like something cold had wrapped itself around my ribs and started squeezing.

"I'm sorry what?" I asked quietly.

The sheriff looked at me carefully.

"You do know Amir Williams was found deceased this morning?"

My throat went dry instantly.

"No," I answered honestly. "I haven't really been watching the news lately."

Before he could respond, Mom walked into the hallway drying her hands on a kitchen towel.

"Nova who is—"

She stopped immediately after seeing the sheriff standing there.

A worried look crossed her face.

"Hello ma'am," he greeted politely. "Sheriff Douglas. I just had a few questions regarding the deceased Amir Williams."

Mom's expression changed immediately.

"Oh."

Her eyes flickered toward me quickly before stepping aside.

"Of course. Come in."

"O'Neil," she called toward the back of the house. "Can you come here please?"

Dad walked out of his office a few seconds later adjusting his glasses.

The second he saw the sheriff, his posture stiffened.

"How can I help you, Sheriff?"

"I just need to ask your daughter a few questions."

Dad frowned.

"She in trouble?"

"No sir," Sheriff Douglas answered calmly. "We're trying to gather information connected to Amir Williams' death."

Dad blinked hard.

"Amir's dead?"

"Yes sir."

Silence swallowed the room for half a second.

Then Dad motioned toward the kitchen table.

"Come sit down."

We all sat slowly.

The sheriff explained the situation carefully.

The drought.
The body.
The investigation.
Jordan mentioning me.

Every word made my chest tighter.

I didn't even know Jordan remembered enough about me to mention my name.

And hearing everything spoken aloud somehow made Amir feel real again.

Not memories.

Not nightmares.

Real.

A part of me felt horrible for his parents.

For the grief.

For the pain.

But another part of me—

the ugly part—

felt relieved.

Relieved I'd never have to look over my shoulder for him again.

And the guilt from that relief sat heavy in my stomach.