Chapter 4
Tiffany asked to go to the desert because she
thought it would be cool.
I was worried that something would happen, so
I brought the blood bags.
I sliced them open, pouring them onto my
hands, and then splashing my face.
I called my uncle.
Last time, as soon as they left, I called him.
8:32
He was at a poker night with my parents, and
he didn’t believe me.
This time, I called them on video.
42)
My blood–covered face appeared on the
screen, and my uncle said, “What the hell! Why
did you scare us?”
I made my voice weak, saying, “Uncle, there
was an accident.”
He squinted, looking more closely. “That’s really
blood.”
My dad grabbed the phone. “Tell us you’re OK,
where are you? I’ll save you”
My mom said, “Where’s Tiffany? Is she OK?”
I laughed. “Don’t worry. I took care of myself,
and the squad is coming. But Tiffany didn’t
want to wait, she hopped in a car with some
く
random strangers. They want 8 grand, but I just
bought a new SUV, and I don’t have the money,
so I’m worried that they’ll hurt her.”
My uncle said, “You’re crazy! She wouldn’t get
in a car with strangers, she’d get too nervous,
you’re jealous because your cousin is awesome,
stop blaming other people, and maybe you’d be
married!”
I sighed. “Uncle, I’m not lying, why don’t you
believe me? My signal is bad, you need to pay
me now! Her life could be in danger!”
He said, “Let me call her.”
My mom took the phone. “I can send you the
money now–”
I hung up, and then I turned off the phone.
Tiffany wouldn’t answer, she’d be too busy
having fun.
<
And he couldn’t call me.
Very soon, he would realize that because he
hesitated, he missed a chance to save his
daughter.
I want to see how he blames me now.
