When Uriel left, the four of us rode the truck. Merikh sat on the passenger’s seat, and I let Collin drive us. I sat beside Azriel, who was really quiet, as we drove back to Mr. Roth’s house in Reno Beach. It was awfully silent but I can tell Azriel was scared. I was looking out the window, so I decided to talk to him through my mind.

Azriel? Is everything okay?

Silence. I looked over at him and he was just staring outside. I knew Merikh and Collin heard my thoughts ‘cause I caught a glimpse of Collin in the rear-view mirror, and Merikh looked at Collin before glancing...