Chapter 26

Here's what went down. Chloe was a senior at Honorbridge High, buried in the chaos of prep year. Last night, she had evening self-study at school, so the family's driver gave her a lift. She showed up ten minutes late, and by that time, the front gate was pretty much deserted. Right after the car drove off and she started heading toward the gate, her phone rang. It was tucked in her backpack, so she stopped to fish it out. But when she answered, the caller didn't say a word and just hung up. Before she could make sense of it, a van screeched to a stop beside her. The door flew open and someone grabbed her without warning. Within seconds, she was smothered with a cloth over her mouth and nose—after that, everything went black. Tristan broke it down: "So the kidnapper clearly knew your routine. They knew you usually keep your phone in your backpack. Calling you served two purposes—stalling you and confirming your identity." Chloe wiped her tears, fuming. "It was Molly for sure! That psyc