41. Rafe
RAFE
We sent the studio crew home. We’re all too miserable to work. We got a lot of sympathetic looks and claps on the back as they left, but it didn’t make us feel any better.
I don’t know how Hazel became essential to us so quickly, but she has. I feel like half a man without her here.
After talking to Ember, Conal has an idea, a way for us to reach out to her. I hope it works. If it doesn’t, we’ll have to keep trying until we get her back. Living without her feels impossible.
When my phone rings, I frown at the screen. It’s an unknown number. Is Ember calling me, too? I hesitate, then answer.
“Rafe. ”
It’s Celeste. My stomach tightens. “Don’t hang up,” she says quickly. “Please. I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
She doesn’t sound desperate, like she wants to plead with me to take her back. She sounds serious … and certain.
Maybe that’s why I say, “I’m listening.”