Stan aside, entering this world held promise. It was full of capable associates, full of chances. A chance of never having to endure another white-eyed look from Kayla, reflecting back atrocities I was impotent to cure. There would be an old me, left behind on the receding side of this night.
Back on Holland Road, Stan put the car in park and told me to get the f**k out. I’d stashed the DIAD in the safest place I knew — under a loose step on Francis’ back porch. Only a damn fool would trespass on our lot. Neighbors didn’t even park at the curb in front of the house. So when I went around back and found the step dislodged, the inside of it empty, there was only one place the DIAD could’ve been.
I closed my eyes. My insides were pins and needles. Go in, get the DIAD, I told myself. A membe
