"Strange noises?" Melanie asked with a yawn. "No, I slept like the dead. In fact, I can't remember the last time I had such a good sleep. I'm still a bit fuzzy now. Why don't you be a good girl and make your mum a cup of tea?"

"I'm busy," Madison snapped.

"What happened to your neck?" Melanie asked.

Madison grabbed the collar of her robe, trying to hide the bruises. "I think it's just some makeup," she said.

Melanie narrowed her eyes suspiciously but left without another word.

By sunset, Madison had run through a series of possible plans, but none of them were good enough. She paced back...