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Beatrice was bouncing on her feet when I gave her the bowl of eggs.

Agnes had obviously been woken up by the smell, and her nose drew her to the kitchen.

My heart skipped a beat, and I waited for her to do something. Over time, I’d been trying my best to gain some kind of favor.

So far, I’d failed.

And I knew I had again when she scowled.

“Ew. Don’t you have real food?”

“This is real food.”

Agnes flipped me off.

“Where did you even learn to do that?” I asked.

“I’m going out.”

“You can’t go by yourself, you⁠—”

The door slammed on me. I looked at Beatrice, who was eating happily. I tumbled out into the hallway after Agnes.

Jade’s door opened and shut. I almost reached for the knob, but pulled away as if it were on fire. I stared for a long time before Beatrice found me.

“Gabriel! I want more.”

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath. I followed her, torn between going back and getting Agnes and staying away from Jade like I promised.

After last night, I wasn’t sure which she would want.

11

JADE

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Kerry Winsor: How has it been two weeks and I’ve STILL not said hello to Gabriel!

Comments:

Jackie Anne: If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t seen him either.

Kerry Winsor: It doesn’t. I’m so busy I’m hardly around, but I want to find him!!!

Atticus Thompson: He’s been busy with the girls. I’ve heard directly from him that he has no hard feelings with any of you. But it’ll be a while before he makes his rounds.

Kerry Winsor: I should offer to babysit when I have the time. I bet I could help.

Marjorie Brown: Hen and I barely survived. Those two would eat you ALIVE!

A knock on my door jolted me out of my sleep and I sat up—only to smack my forehead on the bottom of the table.

“Ow, fuck.” I covered my head and winced for a second before I looked around. Obviously, I’d sleepwalked again.

Gabriel being here was only making it worse.

Maybe I needed to stay with Grace. I’d not told her about it, but she’d help.