Chapter 3

"Go with them?" I repeated, my voice barely a squeak.

Ethan nodded, his face a mask of sincerity. "It's the only way, Ella. If they think you're cooperating, they'll let their guard down. I need to see where they take you, who they are."

He took a step closer. "I'll be right behind you. I won't let anything happen to you."

His words were meant to soothe, but they sent a shiver down my spine.

The way he said "anything."

I looked past him, to where Sarah was now standing in the doorway, watching us. Her expression was unreadable.

"Okay," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Okay, Ethan. If you think it's best."

I had to play along. For now.

I walked out of the restroom, Ethan beside me.

Sarah looked from me to Ethan, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.

"Everything alright, dear?" she asked me.

"Yes, Mom," I said. "Ethan was just worried. He's going to follow us, make sure I'm okay."

Sarah's smile widened. "How thoughtful of him."

We got back in the car. Mark didn't say anything, just pulled back onto the road.

I watched Ethan get into his own car, a sleek black sports car I'd never seen him drive before. He gave me a reassuring nod before pulling out behind us.

Liam' s best friend. From a wealthy family, always had the latest gadgets.

But this felt different. Colder.

The city traffic was thick. Horns blared.

We were stuck at a red light, cars packed around us.

This was it. My only chance.

Mark was drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, Sarah was looking at her phone.

I took a deep breath.

And I bolted.

I threw open the car door and scrambled out, dodging a cyclist.

"Ella!" Sarah screamed.

Mark slammed on the brakes.

I didn't look back. I ran.

I wove through the stopped cars, ignoring the angry shouts and honks.

I could hear them behind me, Sarah calling my name, Mark yelling.

I saw a mall entrance across the street.

I sprinted, jaywalking through a gap in the traffic, my heart pounding in my ears.

I burst through the mall doors and kept running, deeper into the labyrinth of stores and shoppers.

I finally ducked into a crowded department store, hiding behind a rack of coats, gasping for breath.

My phone rang.

Unknown number.

Not Liam's.

I hesitated, then answered.

"Ella? This is Dr. Miller. Your psychiatrist?"

His voice was calm, professional. The one they' d forced me to see.

"Dr. Miller?" I panted. "You have to help me. My parents, they're not my parents. And Ethan..."

"Ella," he interrupted gently. "I need you to listen to me very carefully. Liam... Liam passed away three years ago, Ella. He took his own life after his SATs. What you're experiencing, these impostors, it's all part of a severe trauma response. Hallucinations. Your mind is trying to protect you from the truth."

No.

No, no, no.

Liam was alive. He texted me.

"That's not true!" I cried. "He texted me this morning!"

"Ella," Dr. Miller's voice was firm but kind. "Your parents and Ethan are very worried about you. They're here with me and the police. We just want to help you."

My world tilted.

Liam, dead?

The texts... hallucinations?

The impostors... my mind?