The Similars (The Similars #1)(34)

“What he meant,” Theodora clarifies, “is that Dr. Seymour’s technology brought us into this world, though he did not directly supervise the procedure. You’re right, that happened at the hands of Evan Soto, the lab technician.”

“The one who was later sent to the mental hospital,” Henry confirms.

“Yes,” says Theodora.

“Emmaline Chance?” a voice rings out, interrupting Henry and Theodora’s dialogue. It’s Principal Fleischer. “Come with me.”

My heart sinks. What could this possibly be about? Prudence? I don’t ask questions; I simply follow her across campus. Thankfully, she doesn’t speak to me. I can tell she’d rather be doing anything other than escorting me on this errand, whatever it is. When I arrive at the front doors of the library, Pippa is already there. My heart aches at the sight of her—so like Pru, and yet so not.

Except my heart lurches twice, because Pippa is standing close to someone I haven’t seen since watching the feeds the day the Lorax brought me to school. Pru’s father, Jaeger Stanwick. Though he’s still as lean and athletic as ever, Jaeger looks more frail today than I’ve seen him before. His scrabbly gray hair is unkempt, and his clothes look rumpled and neglected.

Pippa pauses their conversation at the sight of me, and as Jaeger turns to acknowledge me, I get an eyeful of the weariness played out on his face. It’s as if he’s aged a million years since the last time I saw him. He reaches out to grab my hand, and it’s like he’s moving through mud, not air. Every move looks painful.

“It’s good to see you,” he says simply.

“Is Pru…?”

“How is she?” Pippa adds. “Where is—?”

“Can we take a walk?” he interrupts. “I hate standing still. Always have.”

“Of course,” Pippa and I answer, following Jaeger down the steps. I notice Principal Fleischer leave as we walk along the path that leads to Dark Lake. The wind whips at us, and my heart pounds in my ears as I imagine what he might be here to tell us, in person: Pru is dead.

“Emma, before I forget,” Jaeger says, pulling a paperback book from his coat pocket and handing it to me. “This is for you. Prudence always said you love the classics. I thought you’d like it.” I take it and thank him. To Kill a Mockingbird. I’ve read this novel for class, but I don’t have my own copy. I slip this one into my coat pocket as Jaeger stops to take in the lake. “Prudence loved it here,” he mutters. “I told her this school had its pitfalls, but she never believed me. Was always saying Darkwood was her favorite place in the world.”

“Was?” Pippa asks carefully. “So it’s true, then? She didn’t make it?”

Tears prick my eyes. I bite my lip to keep from crying out.

Jaeger turns to Pippa. “Make it? Oh, no, Pru didn’t die. She’s struggling, but she’s alive. They didn’t tell you?”

I shake my head. So does Pippa.

“We had her transferred to a hospital in Massachusetts so she could be near her mother. Pru’s mom is too immunocompromised to fly and too sick to make the drive.”

“Can we buzz her? Talk to her? When can we see Pru?” The questions fly out of us like rockets.

Jaeger rubs his temple, then squints as though he has sunlight in his eyes.

“She’s in a medically induced coma,” he says. “I thought you knew. The attack left her with multiple skull fractures and a brain bleed, which the doctors were able to stem with surgery. They induced the coma afterward so her body could rest.”

My voice feels divorced from my body, but I’m pretty sure I say, “The attack?”

Jaeger looks from me to Pippa, and then out at Dark Lake. Pru’s father nods. “The severity and nature of her injuries suggest that it wasn’t an accident.”





Guardian


That afternoon, during duty, I tell Levi about Jaeger’s visit. Though things are still tense between us, I feel I owe him that. After all, he was the one who carried Pru to safety.

“Thanks for letting me know,” he says, distant.

“You’re welcome.”

We get to work reshelving books. All I can think about is Pru lying in that canoe, and the fact that she didn’t fall. It wasn’t an accident. Someone hurt her. Deliberately. Someone might have been trying to kill her.

But who? And why?

My gaze falls on that corner table, empty now, where Tessa, Madison, and Jake were sitting yesterday. That’s when it dawns on me: maybe I know more than I think. I remember overhearing Tessa. Madison didn’t show up yesterday for her blood work. I have no idea what this blood work business is all about, but what matters is that Madison missed an appointment the same afternoon that Pru was attacked. Tessa didn’t mention what time that appointment was. Still, I can’t help but wonder if Madison wasn’t getting her blood work taken because she was in the boathouse, knocking Pru over the head with a rowing oar. Madison’s made it clear from the beginning that she hates Pru and resents her being in the Ten.

Did Madison attack Pru?

I don’t have any answers, and I won’t until I can find some proof Madison did this. So I turn up The List and dive into organizing books until it’s nearly dinnertime. Alone with my thoughts, I remember the package Jane sent me. Suddenly I really want to open it.