the burner
268 Words
*Chapter 5*
At 9:12 AM, Chloe was in the backseat of Keith’s car.
Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
On the news: _“Aria Aurelia Alive. Enters Aurelia HQ With Police.”_
Keith was driving too fast. He kept saying her name. “Aria. Aria. How is she—”
“Shut up,” Chloe snapped.
Her phone was on the floor. Burner phone. Cheap. Disposable.
1:17 AM. _Sent._
_“You were supposed to be in the crash tonight. Why aren’t you dead?”_
She’d deleted it. But Aria had the screenshot. Chloe knew she did. That’s why Aria walked in with that folder.
The car swerved.
“What did you do?” Keith asked. He wasn’t looking at the road. He was looking at her.
“Nothing,” Chloe lied. “We did what we planned.”
“You texted her, didn’t you?”
Chloe laughed. Too loud. “Don’t be stupid. I was with you all night.”
Keith didn’t answer. He pulled into the underground garage of Aurelia Ventures.
Police cars were already there.
Chloe reached down. Picked up the burner. Her thumb hovered over the power button.
If she destroyed it, they’d know she was hiding something.
If she kept it, Aria would find it.
The driver door opened. Police flashlight in her face.
“Ms. Chloe Reyes? We need you to come with us.”
Chloe smiled. Wide. Fake.
“Of course, officer. But first... can I grab my purse?”
She left the burner on the seat.
Let them find it.
Let them wonder whose fingerprints were on it.
- Writer
