I felt much calmer when we were back at the mansion. The terror that had overcome me when I thought I saw Chloe's and Amelia's faces in every person wandering through the mall had disappeared. At my mom's house, with her by my side and in my room, I was protected, safe even from that annoying voice in my head that called itself Gea and, as if by magic, I knew she was lurking, protecting herself from coming out.
I lay down on my bed, and Mom promised to have lunch brought up for me, something very light because I still felt like breakfast wanted to come up from my stomach. When Mom left my room after tucking me in, I heard my iPhone ringing. I had forgotten it again, completely. I wasn't used to carrying a cell phone, let alone having people call me.
It was Aly, texting me on w******p.
"
