Page 212 of Stay Scared

She stares at him. “You expect me to believe I couldn’t tell your voice from somebody else’s?”

Ash’s injured arm hangs at his side. “No, I don’t.”

The woman’s anger sharpens.

For a second, I expect him to explain.

Ash leaves the accusation unanswered.

She walks away.

He watches her until she disappears into the midway, then looks back at me.

The distance between us is crowded with police, paramedics, evidence markers, and a gurney somebody left against the wall.

He still looks like he might cross all of it.

An officer takes him toward the control room before he decides to.

The paramedic finishes wrapping my ribs.

My palms get cleaned next.

That hurts worse.

I swear.

Mark appears beside the equipment case. “You look awful.”

“You were tied to a post.”

“I’m aware.”

“That makes you worse.”

He glances at my bandaged hands. “Fine. We are both hideous.”

“That seems fair.”

He looks toward the gate.

Dawn is beginning to bleach the sky beyond the corroded Ferris wheel. Blue police lights still flash across the Carnival of Joy sign.

News vans have started collecting outside the perimeter. Phones rise over the barricades whenever anyone moves.

Mark follows my line of sight. “They know your name.”

“I assumed.”

“They know Cade’s too.”

“Obviously.”

“Owen’s getting interesting search results.”

I look at him. “Ash?”

Mark grimaces. “His company address is already online.”