Chapter 37

“No one is twisting your arm, making you stay here!” their father shouted at Ran’s back. “You can leave whenever you want to!”

“He has, Dad.”

“Shut up.”

“Y’know what? I think I’ll head down to the cafeteria, too.” If Alex stayed there one more minute, he’d say something he’d probably regret. Or do something. He’d never been so tempted to stuff a pillow in the old man’s mouth before.

The cafeteria was off the lobby on the first floor, and he took the elevator down to it.

The corridor was crowded. Just because it was Christmas didn’t stop people from getting sick or having accidents.

Once he’d made his way through the crowd and into the cafeteria, he looked around.