Going back home, I threw my shoes in the corner of the entry room and stomped to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. I left the educations videos on the table and peered at the sink. My mouth felt so dry, and my heart was torn into pieces. I had gone to Eve's house to ask her for a chance to talk, but my efforts had been in vain. She hadn't even glanced through her window.

When I gulped down the transparent liquid in the glass, I nearly choked when I noticed a presence in the room. I had been so self-absorbed in my thoughts, I hadn't seen...