47

You feel pretty on edge as you open your mouth—but the shock that appears on Zoe's and Maxie's faces is something else. To your right, you hear Tobias stifle what sounds like a gasp.

There are a few moments of silence. Then, Zoe starts to laugh—a cold, humorless laugh.

"Okay. I get it. I guess I expected too much by asking you to snitch on each other, huh?"

Maxie gives her an uncertain look, but Zoe just shakes her head.

"No matter what Huknock says, Tobias, you're taking Mr. Logan every penny he's owed first thing on Monday morning. He knows we're going away tomorrow, but that doesn't mean you're not going to pay him back. And when we get back tomorrow night, I think we're going to have a long talk about the people you choose to spend your time with."

She gives you a disgusted look as she starts to walk away—but then, she turns back to Tobias for a second and adds:

"I'm staying behind to help clean up the park a little. I think that'd be a very good use of your time as well."

With that, she heads off towards the little group behind the stage. Left on their own with you, Maxie shakes their head.

"You were doing so well, Tobias," they say with wounded eyes. "You know we love you so much—but you're going to have to make a change."

They shake their head again, and—after giving you a look of bitter disappointment—they take the dogs towards the park gates.

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