7
A WEEK AFTER THE PARTY, Alex goes rock climbing at one of his favorite spots. The work of getting his ropes prepped comes back to him as if he hadn’t taken months off. But that’s the only thing that does.
The climb itself is surprisingly frustrating. Alex’s newly-muscled physique makes the endeavor harder, not easier. Sure, he’s stronger in many ways now, but the muscle he’s carrying is also heavier, changing how he propels himself up the rock. Everything feels wrong. He misses his old body.
He considers giving up, but he knows he’ll be annoyed, at himself and the world, if he can’t get to the top. The struggle is annoying and strange, but at least being out of the house and away from other people gives him a chance to think.
Alex begged his mother to do something to stop Delilah fro
