AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Meet me in room 21.It’s empty.
I stared at the message from Bobbi, brows drawn in a perplexed frown. It didn’t contain any hints about why I needed to meet her, but I could only assume it was about Kinsey’s disappearance.
The bell rang right on cue. I packed my tablet and books up and strode out of the classroom, jaw set with determination. Halfway down the hall, I bumped into Erin.
She fell into step beside me. “Did you get Bobbi’s message?”
“Yeah. On my way there now. I assume you are too?”
“Yes.” Her forehead wrinkled. “Any idea what it’s about?”
“Nope, but I’m hoping someone finally contacted the Dirt app with a tip.”
“Me too. I just don’t get why she wouldn’t tell us that,” Erin said. “Like, why be so cryptic about things?”
I shrugged. “She probably doesn’t want any mentions of the app in her messages, in case she ever gets hacked for any reason.”
“Good point.” She yawned and covered her mouth with one hand.
I looked down at her, forehead creasing with concern. “Have you slept at all?”
“A few hours last night. I stole some sleeping pills from Mom so I could actually fall asleep,” she replied. Guilt flashed across her face. “I feel like I need to constantly be awake until we find Kinsey, but at the same time, I’m pretty sure you can die from lack of sleep.”
“I know what you mean,” I said, shoulders sagging. “I feel the exact same way.”
“Did you manage to sleep, then?” Erin asked.
“Same as you. A few hours.”
“Better than nothing.” She let out a short sigh. “How’s Anna?”
“A total wreck.”
“Understandable.” Erin gave me a little side-eyed glance. “How about you?”
“About the same. My dad being out of prison isn’t making things any easier, either,” I replied. “He’s threatening to get my trust fund taken away unless I move back in with him.”
Her eyes widened. “Can he actually do that?”
“I don’t know, but I guess we’ll find out soon,” I said, lips flattening.
We stopped at room 21 and peered through the door. Bobbi was perched on a desk, looking down at a closed silver laptop with a purple flower sticker on it. When she heard us in the doorway, she looked up and motioned for us to come inside. “Shut the door behind you and lock it,” she said. “I have something to show you.”
I did as she said and trudged over to her, brows rising. “What have you got?”
“You’ll see. Take a seat.” She patted the chairs on either side of her.
Erin and I sat down, flashing each other confused looks.
Bobbi cleared her throat and straightened her spine. “So,” she said, glancing at each of us in turn. “I still haven’t had any responses on the app. Nothing that pans out, anyway.”
“Dammit,” Erin mumbled, shaking her head.
“Wait. Just listen.” Bobbi lifted a palm. “I was starting to worry that you guys would expose my true identity to the school, seeing as I haven’t been much help so far, so…” She trailed off for a second and scratched the back of her neck. “I, uhh… I went and did something. Something that might help you.”
“What did you do?” I asked, cocking my head.
She patted the laptop in front of her. “I stole Cerina’s laptop.”
