The last bell rang, and students spilled out of the school in waves, laughter and car doors slamming echoing through the parking lot. I was halfway to Sage’s truck when I heard someone call softly behind me.
“Elara?”
I turned. Quinley stood a few feet away, hugging her backpack strap like it was a shield.
“Hey,” I said, walking toward her. “What’s up?”
She hesitated, eyes darting over the crowd. “I… have questions. About… what happened to me. Where I was. What those… things were that almost killed me.”
My stomach knotted. “I’m not sure I’m the person to answer that question.”
“Oh.” Her face fell, and for a second she looked so lost it hurt to see. “I just thought…” She trailed off, meeting my eyes with something almost pleading. “Never mind. It’s ridiculous.”
“Trust me,” I said quie
