* * *

“We’re calling the police!” I whipped out my phone as soon as the night grew quiet. The drain pipe was dark and damp, and still didn’t offer much protection.

  “No!” Marti clutched at my wrist and pulled my phone away.

  “What the freaking heck do you mean no?” I pulled it back. 9 was as far as I got before she clawed it away from me again. “Marti, are you crazy? We have to call the cops. We’re lucky to be alive!”

  “Please Meg, don’t! No one can know about this! I’m begging you, please.” She looked into my eyes in the same way she had that night at the cabin.

 

Never ok… The words she’d spoken then came back to me now. This all had to do with something. It all started somewhere. What tied it all together?

  “I won’t call on one condition.” She looked down, avoiding my gaze.

  “That I tell you everything?”

  “Yes. Marti…” I trailed off, my voice softening. “Please. You need to tell someone. And since I’m the only other sucker in this mess with you, I guess you’re stuck with me.” I whispered, sitting down in the muck. Marti smiled and plopped down next to me.

  “Ok, I guess you’ll do.” She laughed reluctantly.