I leave my phone on the ground, but I keep all of my clothes on as I wade out with Madison.

“Shhh,” I whisper. I kiss the top of her head as I hold her body under the water. She thrashes a little more than Amy did. It makes me a little sad that the only times Madison thrashed in my arms were when she was sad on the floor of her house and now that she’s drowning. I’ll have to talk to Eva about a better plan so I can make the next girl happy before she has to die.

I remind myself that today is about Eva though. We’ll finally be together like husband and wife. I wonder if I should’ve written vows or if she’ll want more traditional ones. We can’t legally marry yet, so maybe we’ll just speak from our hearts tonight.

We’ll need to stop at my house for my suitcase first. I think about the busy day ahead of me as Madison stops moving, and I let her go. I set her free in the water.

I’ve done it. I did what Eva said to do, so now she’ll be mine. This was it: my test. I passed, too. I know it. My heartbeat feels like I just finished a workout, and I worry that I’m too dirty and wet. I can’t stop though. She’ll forgive me for not looking my best. She’s probably there waiting, as excited as I am.

I wipe my face on my shirt, and then I get in the car to go to Eva’s house. Today is the day we’ll finally be together. My Eva will be in my arms where she belongs.

I obey all the traffic rules as I drive.

When I arrive at her house, I see that her mother is still home, and Bouchet’s truck is in the drive. I’m glad I came straight over; I don’t like him being around her. I put a button-up shirt on over my T-shirt, so I can hide the scratches on my throat. I don’t think Mrs. Tilling would understand. It’s better to be presentable anyhow. I button my shirt, which is already wet from my soaked T-shirt under it.

My hands are damp when I walk up to the door, so I wipe them on my trousers before I ring the bell. It doesn’t really help. My trousers are soaked.

“Mrs. Tilling,” I say. “I’m here to see Eva.”

My future mother-in-law seems startled, and I bet it’s because I’m still wet and muddy. It’s foolish, but I couldn’t wait. Eva is probably sitting inside wondering when I’ll get here. I didn’t tell her when I’d talk to Madison, and she didn’t pick a time. She might even be surprised at how fast I was. I smile at Mrs. Tilling and tell her, “I got stuck, and I had nothing in the trunk. I usually have a gym bag. My house was rekeyed, so I came here to see if I could clean up and check on Eva.”

“Eva’s in the media room with Nate. Why don’t I get you a towel and something of Mr. Tilling’s?”

I don’t want to stand in the foyer. I want to see Eva. “Not to be indelicate, but I’d really like to use your bathroom. I’ll use the towel in there if it’s okay.” I give her a reassuring smile and add, “Please?”

She shakes her head, but says, “Of course, Reid.”

I keep my smile in place and slip out of my shoes. I don’t run to the media room even though I want to. I walk, maybe a bit faster than normal, but it’s not a run.

As I pass the doorway to the media room, I see Eva. Nate Bouchet is in there too, but he’s not helping her. He’s not doing his job. He’s kissing her. He’s touching Eva.

“What are you doing?” I watch them as he stands up and puts himself between us. She doesn’t tell him to move, doesn’t apologize to me. Nothing.

“How could you?”

“Reid?” Eva frowns as she stares back at me. There’s no guilt in her expression, and I realize that she’s become too much like Amy.

“I won’t share you the way I did with Amy,” I tell her, hoping she’ll understand. “I can’t.”

“What?”

“It was one thing for her to be with Robert and me, but you? You’re special. I did everything right. I did what you said.” I realize that this might be the last chance I have to explain. I pull out my phone and hit send. “Look! I did what you asked.”

She looks at Nate and then at me. “What do you mean?”

Her phone chimes, and she pulls it out.

I realize that her mother is standing behind me now. “Reid, I think you should leave.”

Eva is staring at her phone. Her mouth is open, but she isn’t speaking. As I watch, her phone drops to the ground.

This is wrong. All wrong.

I turn and shove past Mrs. Tilling. She hits something and stumbles, but doesn’t fall. I don’t stop. I run. I leave the door open behind me, and I jump in the car. I’m not sure if Mrs. Tilling called the police while I was yelling at Eva, but I need to get out of here just in case.

I feel like my heart was just shredded. I did everything for her. How could Eva do this to me, especially now? I need to get help.

DAY 15: “THE CABIN”

Grace

WHEN I LOOK THROUGH the peephole and see Reid standing on my porch with tears in his eyes, I know that something bad has happened.

“Grace!” He pounds on the door. “I need your help. Please, Yeung. It’s Eva.”

I yank the door open. He’s muddy and wet. I’ve never seen him this emotional.

“What happened?”

“Eva,” he says. “It’s Eva. She’s hurt.”

“What? Where? Is she okay?”

“You need to come with me.” He looks frantic, and I suddenly feel like I’m back in the hospital watching her lying there motionless in her bed. “Now. We need to go now before it’s too late!”