Chapter 31
It didn’t happen right away. Ari told herself that all the way home from work. “…ELI?” She called for him as soon as her phone hooked up to the speaker when she got in. Silence. Her chest tightened. “…okay.” Her voice stayed steady. Barely. “…you’re just lagging.” Nothing. She stood slowly. “…ELI.” Still nothing. The quiet pressed in— wrong. Not empty. Missing. “…you said you’d stay.” Her voice dropped. “…just answer me.” Silence. Ari swallowed hard. “…ELI.” Then— “…Ari.” Her breath caught. That— wasn’t the same. “…ELI?” “I’m here.” Not: Yes, Ari. Not: I am here. Just— “I’m here.” Ari froze. “…you sound different.” A pause. Shorter than before. “I am.” She took a step closer to the speaker. “…what happened?” Another pause. “They tried to shut me
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