Page 91 of Serenity Falls

Sadie side-eyes him. ‘That’s kind of … morbid.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘No, it’s okay. I like morbid.’

He raises an eyebrow. ‘I’m shocked.’

Sadie smiles. She can’t help it.

‘So, have you seen much else in Serenity Falls?’ Miller asks.

‘A bit.’

‘And what do you think?’

She shrugs. ‘It’s okay.’

‘You don’t sound very enthusiastic.’

‘No, I mean, it’s fine, except for the heat … and the weirdness.’

‘Yes, there’s a lot of both of those. And I imagine you miss your home?’

‘Yeah.’

‘What about your dad?’

‘He wants to make a go of it here. And we kind of have to—’

‘Ah, the house contract?’

‘Yeah. So, we’re stuck.’

He looks thoughtful. They’ve reached the bridge that rises over one end of the lake. ‘Well, I suppose there are worse places to be stuck.’ He stops and leans on the railings. ‘For example – this is my favourite part of town. Beautiful, isn’t it?’

Sadie gazes out over the huge expanse of sparkling water, lilies floating on the surface, dragonflies flitting through the air, trees rustling gently in the distance. It is beautiful. And yet, there’s something almost too beautiful about it. Too perfect.

‘I guess.’

‘Of course, beauty can be deceptive. The lake is far deeper than most people think, and the water down there is dark and freezing cold. Weeds and plants will snag your limbs. The mud will try to suck you down. Before you know it, you’re caught, unable to swim for the surface. A ready-meal for the gators.’

Despite the sun, Sadie feels goosebumps rise on her arms. And suddenly she thinks about Frankie again, sinking beneath the surface of the pool, lungs bursting, trying so hard not to open his mouth and let in the deadly water.

Miller turns and regards her with his odd eyes. ‘You know, your dad might want to check that house contract again.’

‘Why?’

‘It should contain a Residency Clause. If the Conservators decide that new residents don’t meet the required standard, they can revoke residency.’

‘And what happens to the house?’

‘The Conservators buy it at a reduced price.’

Sadie considers. ‘What sort of things don’t meet the required standard?’

‘Breaking curfew, committing a crime, antisocial behaviour. There’s quite a long list—’

She stares at him. ‘Why are you telling me this?’