I spin around and run out, heading into a cluster of trees in front of me.
“Clover,” one of them says from close by. “Give us what you took, and we’ll let you go.”
Tears drip from my eyes as I dig in the dirt that’s dotted with daisies. Once the hole is deep enough, I drop the clutch into it and bury it. It’s my proof, and while I’m about to die, I’m not allowing it to die with me. Maybe someone will find it one day—it’s all I can hope for at this point.
Right as I get it buried, a hand wraps around my ankle, and I’m jerked back into the darkness.
30
AVA
THE PAST…
“Clover!” I shout over the music booming from a car stereo.
I’m not even sure which vehicle it is—there’s a ton parked in the area near the park. It’s crazy that the police haven’t shown up yet with how loud the party is, but Star Meadows can be suspiciously sleepy sometimes. I often wonder if the cops simply look the other way, covering their eyes with their blood-stained hands.
“Clover!” I call out again, my voice slightly slurred from the drinks I had.
Twigs crunch under my boots as I approach the edge of the forest. I’ve looked everywhere else. Maybe she left? She does that sometimes?—
Fingers wrap around my arm.
Even in the drunk haze my mind is in, I still spin around.
Ellis quickly holds up his hands. “Aves, it’s just me. Sorry I scared you.”
“It’s okay.” I relax. “I’m just being weird.”
Ellis isn’t someone I fear at all. He’s always been nice to me.
“What’re you doing out here by yourself?” he wonders as he glances behind me at the woods.
“Looking for Clover,” I explain. “We were supposed to do a shot, but then she wandered off and I haven’t seen her in a while. I’ve checked all the cars, but I still can’t find her.”
“And you were going to wander in the woods?” he asks dubiously.
My lips part, then shut. Was I? I honestly don’t know. It doesn’t sound like something I’d do, but I often make out-of-character choices when I’m drunk.
“I don’t know,” I answer with a shrug.
He remains silent for a beat. “Have you tried texting her?”
“No...” I feel stupid for having to respond that way. “I just… I don’t know. You know she doesn’t usually respond to texts when she’s at parties.”
“I know. She’s probably hooking up with someone.”
“True,” I sigh. “Sorry, I think I’m a little drunk.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I’m drunk too.” He offers me his hand. “You should stay by me. I don’t like the idea of you wandering around by yourself, especially so close to the woods.”
I easily place my hand in his—he’s the only person I do that with.
We return to where the orange glow of the fire bleeds into the darkness. The throng of people is thick and humming with energy. Ellis leads me over to where a series of drinks are and pulls us to a stop.
“You said Clover was supposed to do a shot with you?” he asks, glancing at me.
I nod, tucking a strand of my hair out of my face. I’m dressed in baggy jeans and a crop top, and the curls Clover put in my hair earlier have turned into waves.
