Chapter 35

A hush falls over the group as I step out of the darkness into the ring of light cast by the bonfire.

I might have been walking up and down the beach for a few minutes. Or maybe a few hours. I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter.

I lost track of the time, as the thoughts tumbled around in my head like the raging ocean just a few feet away.

I thought about everything – the dreams, the silver ring I found in mom’s jewelry box, Mia’s grave, the accident, Evan, the worried looks my friends have been trying to hide from me all day – and I know what has to be done.

I sit down between Zee and Elliot in front of the fire, crossing my legs beneath me.

“Is everything alright Ash?” Elliot asks, his face glowing in the flamelight as he pokes the fire with a gnarled, blackened stick. “You were gone a long time.”

All conversation around the fire has gone silent; everyone waits for my response.

“No, I’m not alright,” I say finally.