Along with everyone who touches it.
“Who is that?” A US Marshal comes out of nowhere, his dog barking at the end of its leash.
“She was just trying to help and thought she saw something in the water,” the warden answers coolly, helping me to my feet. My knees feel weak, but the desperation to lunge right back into the lake is still stronger than my fatigue.
“Keep the goddamn civilians back,” the Marshal barks. “We’ve got a body to find. Just because we’re moving off the water doesn’t mean it’s a fucking free-for-all.”
The warden nods and then turns from the Marshal, gripping my arm and leading me toward the parking lot. “They’re not going to find him,” he mutters. “This place only gives back who it wants to.”
Thunder cuts him off from saying more. He glances out over the lake, his jaw tightening slightly as lightning fills the skies. The wind kicks up, dragging the surface into choppier waves, rocking the incoming boats, and causing debris to shift violently. My stomach knots up as I meet the man’s eyes once more.
“Why wouldn’t it want to give him back?”
He lifts the tape, glances back once more, and then shrugs. “Maybe because it already did.”
2
RUE
“One diver has been reported missingin the search for escaped convict, Thomas Noah Peterson,”the news blares from the living room, the volume louder than the rain pounding the windows.“Rescue attempts will resume when the storm passes.”
My vision goes blurry as I stare at my clasped hands, and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to will away the image of that fucking hand on the branch.
There was nothing there.
But there was. Iknowthere was. I’m not fucking crazy.
“Why were you down there?” my mom suddenly reprimands me, her presence suffocating from behind.
“I was just…watching,” I answer her, trying my best to ignore the crushing sensation in my chest.
“I don’t know why you would do that.” She exhales sharply. “You were drawing attention to yourself. You had to beescortedhome, Rue. That’s the best way to get all the attention on yourself. What do you think they’ll do once they figure out you were entangled with a fugitive?”
I chew the inside of my cheek as I sit at the table in a fresh pair of black sweats. My blondish hair reeks of my coconut shampoo, and my body of something fruity. Every fucking trace of Noah is gone from my skin.
And Ihateit. I’d rather smell like the lake that swallowed him.
I should’ve moved faster. I should’ve stayed with him.
“Rue?” Mom snaps at me, poking my shoulder so hard it stings. “Are you even listening to me?”
“No,” I peer up at her, my tone icy and voice distant as I hold her gaze. “I’mnotlistening to you, because I don’t give a flying fuck what you have to say to me. You’re not eventhatinjured.” I gesture to the boot on her foot. That she’s standing upright on.
“You entitled, little?—”
“Oh, shut up for once,” I slap my hand against the table. “Call Eliza if you want someone to feel sorry for you.” I shove myself back from the table, knocking the chair over. I spin around to face her, my skin blazing.
Her eyes widen as she blocks the exit of the dining room. “You’re scaring me, Ruth.” Her voice dips dramatically, her hands held in a low, surrendering pose. “You need to calm down.”
“Or what?” I tilt my head. “Are you going to tell on me? Call the police and say I stabbed Matthew and pushed him into the lake? Noah was right. They’ll never believe that I did it.”
She narrows her eyes at me, her hands falling to her sides. “Your dad would be so disappointed in who you’ve become.”
I laugh dryly, my fingers curled into a fist. “You’re right. He would. He’d be disappointed inallof us.” I glare at her. “Includingyou.I mean, do you want to talk about the affair you had for the entire last half of your marriage? Hmm?”
Her thin lips twitch downward. “You need to get some rest. You’re hateful when you’re tired. I’m going to call Eliza to see if Ican get some real help around here.” With that, she turns on her booted foot and then thuds her way down the hallway, slamming a door behind her.
I stand in the kitchen, my eyes dropping to the tipped-over chair. My eyes shift across the living room to where Bullet is sleeping peacefully on the couch, unbothered by this entire situation. I wrap my fingers around the back of the chair and right it, then push it up under the table.
