Adrian

It is close to evening now, so I must go back to the house. Auntie must have noticed by now that I am gone, and she would be livid. And uncle… He’s yet to return to the house.

I can hear footsteps approaching, and it is quite close. Instinct tells me to run and hide.

...

I am well hidden behind the wild flowers. I think. From the road, it would be hard to notice me. The sounds of the footsteps are getting closer and closer, and I hear something else. …

There’s a man who has just passed without noticing me. It looks like it is my uncle, and he is carrying something.

A body. I think he has found Alice. I must go home immediately.

***

Sophie was asleep on the floor. She had slept off while consoling herself and her aunt. Sophie’s aunt stood on the ground where she had sat, wincing as her bones cracked.

Her eyes strayed to Adrian’s form on the bed, and she scowled at him. She saw his struggles, his lips moving, and his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he tried to form words.