Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles 2)

“Three days ago,” he admitted through tight lips.

Three days. Why had he stopped texting? Had he met someone else? I swallowed the questions I clearly had no right to ask, but couldn’t swallow my hurt. “Well, I’m glad you’re okay.”

Kat patted me on the butt. “After I explained to Cole the consequences of not coming, he was more than happy to show up.”

“Threatening people again, Katherine?” Gary tsked.

“Always, Daddy.”

“It’s one of the things I like best about her,” Frosty said.

Gary ignored him and looked to Cole. “I’m sorry about that, son.”

“Don’t be.” Cole looked me over, seeming to drink me in, and I shivered. “I wanted to be here.”

Then why hadn’t he contacted me? Why a renewal of the hot-and-cold treatment?

Nana swept into the living room, taking a seat between the two boys. “I’ve missed you guys, and it hurts my heart that you never come by anymore. So, now you’re going to make it up to me and tell me what’s been going on in your lives.”

“Come on,” Kat whispered to me.

I followed her to the kitchen. “What did you threaten Cole with?” I asked when we were alone.

“I told him I’d set you up with my cousin Rick.”

“And that worked?”

“Like magic.”

I fit the pie between the giant turkey and the stuffing. The rest of the counter was covered with bowls of broccoli and rice casserole, cranberry sauce, green beans, corn, gravy, mashed potatoes and to my surprise, spaghetti.

“You did all of this?” I asked.

“Everything but the spaghetti.”

“Which you have because...?”

“Of my rules. I only eat what I’m craving, and I was craving my dad’s spaghetti. He got up earlier and made it for me so he’d be out of my way when I needed the kitchen.”

How sweet was that? “Well, what can I do to help?”

“Exactly what you’re doing. Stand there and look pretty. The rolls are baking, and as soon as they’re done, we’ll be ready to consume like the manimals we are.”

Cole stalked into the room. He didn’t say a word, but grabbed my hand and led me away, much like he’d done Halloween night. I glanced back at Kat. Just as she had at the club, she gave me a thumbs-up.

He didn’t stop until we were on the front porch, the cold surrounding us.

“You have to stop doing that,” I said.

“What?”

“Tugging me around without a word.”

“And give you a chance to refuse?”

Good point.

“How are you?” he asked, peering deep into my eyes, searching for...what?

“I’m good.” I licked my lips. “How have you been?”

“Busy. My dad was upset that I didn’t tell him about the spy sooner.”

“Is that why he sent you away?”

“One of the reasons. By the way, he’s been following Ethan and so far hasn’t found anything suspicious.”

Were we on the wrong track? “What’s another reason?”

He sighed. “He thought I needed to take a break from... Well, it doesn’t matter.”

From me, then. I did my best to mask my wounded feelings.

“Don’t,” Cole said, brushing his fingertips over my cheek. “He thought I needed some perspective, so he sent me to Georgia to help Gavin and Veronica’s usual crew.”

“They went with you?” I shrieked. Then I cringed.

He actually smiled. “No. They stayed here.” He tugged at the hem of my shirt, causing me to stumble into him. “So...I got you a Christmas present.”

My eyes widened. “But I didn’t get you anything. I mean, I thought about it, but I didn’t—”

“That’s okay,” he said, his grin widening. “I can’t give yours to you now. I have to wait till you come over to my house. Having you there is all the gift I need.”

What could he have gotten me?

His expression suddenly darkened, surprising me, reminding me of a storm about to break. “About Gavin, and what happened with him.”

Guilt pierced me, and my gaze dropped to my feet. That was right, we hadn’t talked about it. Not really. “I’m sorry. He came over. We were in the middle of a conversation, an innocent conversation, and the hunger hit.”

“Don’t be sorry. I came over, too, hoping to drive you to school. Your grandmother mentioned Gavin was there, so I sprinted back to your room. I was planning to clean the floor with his face. Then I saw you on the bed with him, and I admit, it looked bad. But then it hit me. I know you. You wouldn’t kiss me one day, and another guy the next, and you wouldn’t kiss a guy with the door open while your grandmother was in the other room. The truth hit me a second later, and I grabbed you before you could bite him.”

“You trusted me,” I said, shocked to my soul, “despite what you saw.” That was absolutely, utterly huge.

“Yes,” he said. He fit his hands against my jaw. “I told you I did. I’m in this thing, Ali. All the way.”

“But...why did you stop texting me?”

I saw the ice frost over his eyes, and I shuddered. “My dad was monitoring my phone feed.”

Oh. The ice wasn’t for me, but for his father.

I looked away from him, trying to give myself time to think, and caught a glance of my reflection in the glass. I stumbled backward.

Zombie Ali was back.

Flickers of red burned in her eyes, and the black smudges on her cheeks were thicker. She smiled at me, waved—and then, through the reflection, I watched her step out of my body, away from the glass.

Chapter 23

The Rain of Broken Glass

With the tick of a clock loud in my ears, I watched Z.A. glide off the porch and into the driveway. She paused to look back at me and crook her finger, a silent command for me to follow. A need to know her purpose consumed me, and I stepped off after her.

Uncheck from list: disabled.

“Ali,” Cole called.

“Tell Nana I’ll be back as soon as possible. And don’t come after me.” Who knew where she was leading me?

Z.A. continued moving forward, across the street, into someone else’s yard. The sun was hidden behind thick gray clouds, creating a dreary backdrop. Any moment, I expected fat raindrops to fall, soaking and freezing me. I wondered how she would react—if the water would even touch her.