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incisions. Some of them were sewn back up.” Brielle’s voice breaks when she says it. “Her mom said it looked barbaric like she was used as some kind of Frankenstein. Somebody tortured her for weeks.” Her voice flattens to a whisper.
    “Dear God.” I mouth the words incapable of bringing any volume.
    Logan breaks the ice in the bag and shifts its contents. With exaggerated gentleness he places the bag against the corner of my lip.
    I had no idea about Chloe. I’m starting to regret ever asking anything. For all I know the killer could have extricated her from our shared bedroom in the middle of the night. They could have a perverse desire to snatch girls from that exact location again and again. I don’t really know anyone here in Paragon that well. For all I know he could be lurking around somewhere right here in the bowling alley—watching me, waiting.    
    For sure I need to give my brain something fresh to gnaw on.
     
    “Listen. If I can convince my parents to have a party will you come?” I give a look of exasperation. It may not be the perfect segue, but it beats ruminating on a killer.
    “Of course.” Logan looks a little confused. A party may not be the environment he had in mind to let me in on his big secret.
    “I mean just you guys and,” I look over at Brielle. “My brother will be there. Kate and Nat can come. My mom has this thing about my stepbrother meeting people. I know she’ll be OK with it.” Never mind the fact I almost clawed her flesh off this morning. I’m sort of hoping she’s already forgotten all about that incident.
    “Sounds good.” Logan picks up my hand. But we need to be alone—just you and me. That’s when I’ll tell you.
    Tell me now, please.
    Alone.
    Am I going to freak when I hear it?
    He doesn’t say anything. Not a single thought sails through his mind.
    You don’t think I can handle it, do you? I ask.
    It’s not that I don’t think you can’t handle it. Once you realize who you are, you won’t ever get a chance to go back.
    Who am I?
    Skyla.
    Not funny. I don’t scare easy.
    You’re lying. He gives a bleak smile.
    So it’ll frighten me?
    It will and it should.

Chapter Nine
     
    Speechless
     
    “And Drake,” I motion over at him sprawled across the sectional. “He could meet all the really important kids who go to Paragon.” I nod to my mother.
    Brielle and I have spent the last several minutes building our case for a simple movie night in with friends. Just the sheer heft of how hard it is convincing my mom, you would think we were asking to sacrifice kittens at midnight.
    “I’m all for it. I’ll take Tad out for a surprise date and catch the ten o’clock show. Fair enough?”
    “What about the girls?” I hadn’t even thought of Mia and Melissa until they walked past us five seconds ago.
    “They’ll come with.” She relaxes into the idea.
    “Really?” A small squeal of delight escapes.
    “We’ve still got boxes everywhere and don’t think it hasn’t gone unnoticed that you haven’t exactly been digging into them.”
    “I swear,” I hold my right hand in the air. “I will tackle those boxes Sunday morning.”
    “Nice try, but I’m dragging the whole lot of you to church.”
    Brielle gives an audible laugh.
    “It wouldn’t hurt if you joined us.” Mom offers.
    “Thanks, but no thanks.” Brielle averts her eyes when my mother’s not looking. Once my mom has a chance to meet Darla, and get to know her, I think she’ll realize they have polarizing parental opinions.  
    My parents used to go to church when my dad was alive. It was mostly something my dad did. I haven’t seen the inside walls of hallowed ground since my mother married the antichrist.    
    “OK, Sunday afternoon. And we won’t make a mess. You’ll see.”
                                                              ***
     
    “Bitch squad, three o’ clock.” Brielle pushes me into the