It's been five years since the sudden disappearance of Cora Cadigan's mother. Five years since the case was closed before it even began.
In the final summer before the end of high school, Cora knows it's her last opportunity to find the answers she...
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"Are you okay?"
The doctors hadn't been sure when dad would wake up. It could be a few days or maybe even a few weeks. I'd been able to see him at least. Breathing, healthier, given a second chance. Now he just had to recover and I'd make sure he did this time. I wouldn't let him go through this alone.
"Yeah," I whisper into the darkness, entwining my fingers with Teagan's. "I will be."
Tea's parents had told me that I could stay with them for as long as I wanted. It had been hard to hold in the tears as I stood in front of them, thanking them profusely for having me.
I don't know what time it is but Tea and I can't get to sleep. It had been like this for a few hours now, both of us staring at the ceiling. Today had been scary and we both knew that everything could have been very different.
"What's going to happen when he wakes up?" she whispers.
I can't see her but I can imagine her expression. Concerned, brows furrowed.
"I don't know," I answer honestly. "I can only hope it changes his perspective about his life."
"Me too," she agrees. "I miss how your dad was. Full of light. Always laughing."
Dad hadn't been like that since mum went missing. I doubt he ever would be again. Until we find her.
"I miss him too," I croak. "When he was around, it was like he was there but not really. Like a ghost."
"I'm sorry that you were trapped in a house alone," her voice is barely audible but I hear every word.
I'd never seen it that way, but maybe Tea was right. I hadn't felt like I belonged anywhere in a long time.
"Tell me about you and Cam," I need to change the subject desperately, tired of feeling empty.
"I like him," she admits, "but...I don't know. We've just been friends for so long and—"
She stops abruptly and I know without a doubt what she wants to say but is to afraid to.
"And you saw what happened between Ryan and I," I sigh. "But you aren't me. Cam isn't Ryan."
