Celeste
I stare directly at more than a dozen pairs of eyes hovering around the kitchen table—closer to two dozen, and that's all I can see. There could be more. If it weren't for the hand covering my mouth I would be hyperventilating and shrieking. I don't recognize any of these people. They look just as shocked as I do but nowhere near as scared. My body is trembling all over. Is this a hostage situation? Am I being kidnapped? Arrested? What have I just walked into? Who are these people?
"I'm sorry, Celeste," Matthew says from behind me. My eyes widen as my terror is slowly supplanted by confusion. "I thought you'd panic and give us away. I'll let you go if you promise not to scream—"
I push Matthew away from me, taking a deep breath, pivoting on my heel to face him. Throwing my arms
