Chapter 61

We went to church on Christmas Eve like we have every year for as long as I can remember, but my mom was solemn the entire time, and I couldn’t really blame her. Even though I hoped my sister was having a good time on her date, I also missed her desperately. There was something missing when Cadence wasn’t there, not just on the outside, but on the inside as well. It was as if part of my heart had been stolen away from me. I tried not to think of the dangers she might be in, the threats that might come up against her because of her new situation, and focus instead on how happy she seemed to be, whatever she was these days.

I’d wrapped the gift I’d purchased for Elliott but didn’t bother to put it under the Christmas tree. He wasn’t coming for Christmas either, obviously, if my sister wasn’t even going to make it home. I slipped it onto the top shelf of my closet, thinking he might show up sometime, sooner or later. He had sent me a tex