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“I’ve got to get back,” I said. “I—I forgot something.”
    It took a few more minutes to say good-bye. Dave offered to study with me some evening soon. That made me happy. I really liked him. I was glad he wanted to see me again.
    Both guys lived in an apartment west of campus. But they offered to walk me home.
    I said no thanks. Fear Hall was only two blocks away. Besides, I felt like jogging back.
    I was in a hurry now. I really wanted to make sure Hope was okay.
    The cold night air shocked me. My skin felt hot and wet.
    I knew I reeked of cigarette smoke. I had been so interested in Dave and Gideon, I hadn’t realized how stuffy the restaurant was.
    Leaning into the wind, I crossed the street and then started to jog. The cold air felt so refreshing against my face.
    A car horn honked beside me, but I didn’t turn. I kept jogging straight ahead, along the closed campus shops and restaurants.
    I saw a couple leaning against a dark doorway, their arms around each other, kissing, not moving, still as statues. At first I thought it might be Hope and Darryl.
    But as I trotted by, I didn’t recognize them.
    I wondered if Dave and I would ever kiss like that.
    Back in the restaurant, when I tugged his beard, I’d had a strong impulse to pull his face to mine and give him a passionate kiss. Thinking about it made me smile.
    A few seconds later, the high, dark brick walls of Fear Hall came into view. Gazing up, I saw that most of the rooms were dark. I had stayed at the Blue Tavern a lot longer than I’d realized.
    I stepped into the building. Waved to Ollie, the old night guard, half asleep behind the front desk. And made my way to the elevators.
    As the elevator rumbled up to thirteen, I crossed my fingers.
Please, Hope, be okay,
I thought.
    I stepped out and gazed down the long hall. Two girls in pajamas were chatting at the far end. They leaned against the wall, talking quietly, both of them gesturing with their hands as they spoke.
    One of the ceiling lights was out, leaving a pool of darkness in front of my room. Across the hall, I could hear music from the three M’s room. Classical music.
    I took a deep breath and turned the knob on my door. The door creaked open, and I peered inside.
    A desk lamp against the far wall cast a triangle of yellow light on the floor. The other lights were all out.
    I glimpsed Angel asleep in her lower bunk and heard Jasmine snore in the top bunk.
    Then I saw Hope, huddled against her bed. Her eyes opened wide when she saw me. “Eden—” she whispered.
    Before I could reply, Darryl stepped around the desk, into the triangle of light. He moved quickly, and I saw the scowl of anger on his face.
    â€œI’ve been waiting for you, Eden,” he growled.
    â€œDarryl—what are you doing in here?” I demanded. “You know boys aren’t allowed on this floor.”
    â€œEden—don’t get him angry,” Hope warned in a trembling voice. She raised her hands and tugged at the sides of her blond hair.
    I took a few steps toward him. I didn’t feel afraid of him. I felt only anger. What right did he have to barge into our room and try to frighten everyone?
    Wasn’t he grateful that we were protecting him? That we were keeping his horrible crime a secret?
    â€œWhat’s your problem, Darryl?” I asked through clenched teeth.
    He picked up a sheet of paper from the desk. His face was in shadow, but his pale blue eyes glowed. “Did you write this?” he demanded.
    I stared at it. “What is that? The letter I started?”
    He nodded.
    â€œGive it to me!” I screamed. “You have no right to read my letters. You have no right—”
    I rushed forward and tried to swipe it from his hand.
    But he reached out with his other hand and grabbed my wrist.
    â€œOww! Let go!” I tried to squirm free.
    But he bent my arm behind my back. Jerked it hard. And kept bending it until I