WHEN KNOX AND I returned from our run, the wonderful smell of waffles hit us as we opened the front door. Knox's feet made clipping noises as he hunted down Dad. I hung up the leash and stretched before following him into the kitchen."Hey!" I said, catching Dad pinching off the corner of a waffle for Knox. "I thought we had to feed him dog food."Dad popped the waffle piece into his mouth like that was his plan all along. "That's right," he said. "Sorry, buddy," he told Knox who huffed at his heel. "I've got yours right here." He pulled out a bag and poured the dried dog food into the bowl on the floor. Knox hesitated before padding over to eat his breakfast. "That's a good boy," said Dad.I snatched up a fresh waffle and smothered it in butter and syrup. Dad grabbed a whip cream can out of the fridge and waved it in my direction. I took it gleefully and sprayed an artistic pile of white fluff on top of my not so healthy breakfast. "So how was the run?" asked Dad."Fun," I said

FRIDAY FINALLY ARRIVED, AND our plans weren't going as expected. Ruthie's parents were going to Phantom of the Opera in San Francisco, keeping them out late. We planned to sneak out after her brothers went to bed and corner Zander at the party. We'd still have plenty of time to get back before her parents. Anyway, that was the plan until Dad said I couldn't sleep over. I pouted, I whined, I pleaded. And I didn't care that I was being a snot this time. But nothing worked. He took one look at the circles under my eyes and my pale skin and said I needed more rest. It was true that I looked like crap. I even felt achy. But I wasn't sick in the conventional way. I was Zander-deprived. As ridiculous as it sounded, I needed him like I needed air to breathe. It was the aramusatu, aka aramu-sick. But Dad had no idea about that and eventually lost his patience with me. He yelled that the discussion was over, scaring me because it was so out of character for him. At that point I knew all was lo

SOMEONE SHOOK ME HARD, rattling my teeth. "Tru!" I dragged my eyelids open, but it was too bright. I put a hand over my eyes."Too much light!" I moaned."Geez, girl! You scared me to death!" I squinted at a strange object. It was Ruthie with two heads. As I blinked, one of the heads turned into Phoebe."Phoebe?" I murmured."Yeah, it's me. I took Ruthie's advice to live it up a little and look what happened. We find you passed out in a bedroom. How much did you drink?" she said, her lips pinched with disappointment.I stretched my mouth, feeling parched. Ruthie helped me to sit up. "Seriously, Tru," she wailed. "What happened? Did you ever find Zander?" Ding! I suddenly remembered everything and squeezed my head with both hands. "No!" I muttered between clenched teeth. "Someone pushed me. Knocked me out. I think he stuck a needle in me." I ran a hand along a tender spot in the crease of my elbow. "They knocked you out and brought you up here?" asked Ruthie. I shook my h

MY ANXIETY SKYROCKETED WHEN the Tesla pulled over ahead of us. The driver's door opened. I slowed down, debating on running in the opposite direction. But it was possible that someone needed directions. It wouldn't be the first time I'd given them. The driver was tall and broad shouldered. He wore sunglasses, which was disconcerting because it still wasn't that bright outside. Then the passenger door opened and a shorter, bald man stepped out. It was Detective Winchester. Now I really couldn't turn around. Besides, he knew where I lived."Ms. Parker. I thought that was you," the detective called out, his voice jarring in the silence of the morning. He stepped into my path on the sidewalk, forcing us to stop. Knox growled. The detective gave him an annoyed look."Heel," I commanded. Knox quieted."What are you doing out so early?" the detective asked, his voice cordial, as if meeting like this was normal. My eyes narrowed. He was acting too nice.I held up the leash, as if it was

AS ISAAC STEPPED TOWARD the front porch he asked, "Think you can stand?" "Yeah," I said, stretching my mouth from side to side. My whole body tingled, sensation returning like shifting sand. He carefully stood me up, bracing my shoulders in his large hands while I found my balance. I slowly straightened my spine, and he let go one finger at a time, his hands hovering as if he expected me to collapse. When I remained upright, he cocked an eyebrow and grumbled low in his throat, reminding me of the way Knox sounded when I played tag with him. Did Isaac find this funny? I shot a glare at him. With a resigned smile, he backed away. Knox moved with him, pressing his nose into his hand. I moved up the steps, toward the front door with little robotic jerks and unzipped my pocket to pull out the house key. Because I still lacked full sensation in my hands, I had to concentrate on holding the key. It felt like an extra thick layer of leather covered my skin, and without the sensation of dir