“Yeah, maybe.”
Connor doesn’t say anything else, but as we head down the hallway together, I can’t help but look back at the closed door one last time, a pit in my stomach that I can’t quite shake.
Free The Sparrows
/forum/Theories&Speculation
Affair with his sister-in-law
/Jackdooley22
91.4k
144
Okay, so what if Thorn was having an affair with Sarah’s sister? Hear me out—in ALL her interviews, Maggie Shipley says she “barely knew” her brother-in-law. Oh, and he was “quiet, kept to himself.” That’s the most generic BS I’ve ever heard. You’re telling me this lady didn’t know her own brother-in-law? AND there was this supposed rift between Sarah and Maggie. Can’t remember where I read that, but supposedly the sisters weren’t speaking when Thorn offed his wife. Theory: What if Sarah found out about the affair and somehow that was a factor the night she was killed?
^/LennoxC90
A factor how?
^/RainKing
It’s an interesting thought, but how does it shed light on Thorn’s motive? (We still have no clue why he killed those women, other than he’s crazy.) Or are you just saying that’s the reason Sarah was leaving him the night she was killed?
^/Whysoserious
You’re reaching. There’s no evidence to support this.
Seventeen
Eve of Execution
Tonight is Everett’s party, and all I can think isThis is a mistake. I can’t believe I allowed Jasmine to talk me into going, and my nerves are sky-high as Kabir—Kab, as he keeps insisting I call him—pulls onto Winding Way. The secluded residential road overlooks Sturgeon Lake and is lined on one side with sprawling brick mansions set far apart from each other. I’m sandwiched between Jasmine and Connor in the back seat of Kab’s Camry, next to Topher, who’s also from football. Layla, Kab’s girlfriend, sits in the front seat, mouthing every word to some rap song I’ve never heard of and grooving like she’s in a dance club, hands up over her head.
When we pull up at the biggest house on the street, I try not to gawk. Everett’s grandparents are loaded.
“Party!” Layla whoops, stepping out onto the curb, still bopping along like she’s in that club. She’s wearing a next-to-nothing outfit that shows off her ass. Most of the girls on the lawn are taking this opportunity to flaunt the goods, it seems. Even Jasmine’s wearing a too-small halter top.
Me? Flannel and jeans, as always. I so do not fit in with this crowd.
Why am I here?
The party is already in full swing. Kab took forever to pick us up; from Layla’s disheveled hair, I deduced the reason. When we get to the backyard, it’s wall-to-wall Crockett students, dancing to the hip-hop music blasting from the exterior speakers. It isn’t even sixty degrees out, yet a bunch of kids have stripped to their underwear, splashing in a kidney-shaped pool. Several kegs are stacked by the patio door, and the smell of weed is thick enough to get me high with just a couple more whiffs.
I feel like the entire school is here tonight. People are practically oozing out the windows.
“Ryan!” someone calls.
I don’t have to search the crowd. Everett stands a full head taller than almost everybody, and the sea of people seems to part to let him through. He’s wearing a sky-blue jersey with the number 11 on it and carrying a red Solo cup. His face is flushed, and his grin is boyish glee.
“You came!” he says over the music.
“I did,” I say as someone behind him screams, “Belly flop!” and launches himself into the pool. Girls squeal, soaked by the resulting splash.
Everett grabs my arm and leads me deeper into the party. I hear Jasmine call, “Have fun!” but when I turn to find her, the crowd has already swallowed her up.
“You want a drink?” he offers.
