Chapter 3

Andrew glanced at me, his eyes unnervingly calm.

I knew that look. It crawled under my skin. I had seen it too many times before, in memory, in dreams I couldn't shake. I looked away almost at once.

Daphne leaned back and glanced out the window, frowning. "Why are there fewer cars? Are you sure we're going the right way?"

Andrew gave a quiet chuckle, both hands steady on the wheel. "There's traffic up ahead. I'm taking a different route."

After everything that had just happened, I thought they might at least be a little cautious.

I was wrong.

Lillian folded her arms, still full of herself. "At least you've got some sense."

The other two nodded in agreement.

"This car stinks. We're not paying extra just because you wanna take a longer route," Sadie said, waving a hand in front of her nose.

Andrew didn't react. He kept driving, his tone even. "Just change the destination in the app. I won't charge you for the rest."

They paused at that, then all three looked at me.

"Go on. Cancel it."

I tightened my grip on my phone, catching the way their expressions softened at the thought of saving money, and knew it was finally time to get out.

"I'm not canceling."

I didn't even look at them.

Lillian stared at me. "What's wrong with you? If you've got a problem, go get it checked."

"Stop acting like being broke is something to be proud of. It's embarrassing."

"Seriously! You're broke, stubborn, and you don't even know how to read the room," the others chimed in.

Lillian kept tagging me in the group chat.

[What, you got money to burn? Do you even know how much it costs to get from the station to the hotel?]

Andrew glanced at me and smiled, almost gently. "Are you worried about safety? There are cameras everywhere now. Who's going to try anything? And besides…"

His eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, passing over the three of them.

"You're all rich girls. I wouldn't dare mess with you."

"Exactly."

"Like he'd be stupid enough to try anything with us!"

Lillian looked at me like I was the one who didn't get it, clearly satisfied.

I almost laughed.

Andrew had been driving here for years. He knew better than anyone where the cameras were and how to avoid them.

And the fake identities they had made up wouldn't scare him.

If anything, it would push him further.

But I wasn't going to warn them.

"No matter what you say, I'm not changing it."

My voice didn't waver.

That was enough to set Sadie off.

"If you won't change it, then get out!" She pointed outside at the empty bridge. "It's late. Let's see how you make it back. If you run into trouble, don't expect us to come help you!"

No matter what she said, I stayed put.

The app gave its third off-route warning.

Sadie laughed sharply. "Mabel, this is on you."

She kicked the back of Andrew's seat. "Pull over."

Andrew didn't respond right away. "Just take her phone and change it. It's not safe for her to be out here alone this late."

But Sadie had never been patient. Last time, she had gotten out halfway out of spite.

She kicked the seat again, harder this time. "I said, pull over! Are you deaf?"

Lillian and Daphne leaned forward as well, shoving at Andrew. The alert tones and Sadie's shouting blurred together, filling the car.

Then the brakes hit.

"Get out."

Sadie threw the door open, came around to my side, and yanked me out by the arm.

"Acting like you're better than us. Who do you think you are?"

I didn't fight her.

I stumbled, my knee slamming into the rough ground. Pain shot up my leg, and tears stung my eyes.

But I was alive.

This time, I was alive.

Lillian got out right after and took my phone. She tapped through a few screens, changed the destination, and marked the trip complete. Then she held the phone up, smiling sweetly.

"Want it back?"

Before I could say anything, she tossed it into the river.

"Oops. Slipped."

She shrugged, her smile turning sharp.

I stayed on the ground, watching them get back into the car like nothing had happened.

Sadie even switched to the front seat for more space.

Inside, Andrew's dark gaze lingered on me, like he couldn't quite let it go.

Lillian shut the door and told him to drive.

He looked away and started the car.

I watched as they pulled off, the taillights fading into the dark. Beyond that point, there wouldn't be any cameras.

Under the cover of night, I let a slow smile form.

"Get ready. It's coming."