THE FURNITURE. THE PERSIAN rug. The grandfather clock.
It was all back.
Edgar’s stuff.
Edgar’s house.
“Uh, Earth to Adam,” Edgar said.
“Where’s Ripley?” Adam asked.
“Ripley who?”
“You don’t—he didn’t—but Lianna killed you.”
Edgar gave him a strange look, then called over his shoulder, “Hey, did you happen to kill me?”
Lianna walked in from the kitchen, munching on a Ring-Ding. She was dressed in a hockey jersey. “Don’t tempt me.”
Adam was reeling.
Ripley’s family never moved here.
Because Edgar lived on.
And so did Lianna’s lie.
“Adam?” Edgar asked. “Are you all right?”
Adam shook his head. “No. I’m not. Nothing is. Edgar, remember that accident four years ago? On the ice? You—you were supposed to die that day!”
Stop. His death never happened, Adam.
“Is this some kind of weird joke?” Edgar asked.
“Do you remember what happened?” Adam struggled to keep his voice calm.
“You know I don’t,” Edgar replied. “I was wiped out, just like you. Traumatic stress, whatever they call it.”
Adam faced Lianna. “What did you tell him? You saved me and him? You’re twice a hero?”
Lianna groaned. “God, you’re not bringing that up again, are you? Okay, you want to take credit for it? Fine.”
“It’s a lie,” Adam said. “You were the one fighting with Edgar. You hit him with a hockey stick.”
Lianna’s face turned pale. “Where did you hear that crazy idea—?”
“Then, when we fell through, you just stood there and watched. You didn’t get help. After a while you started screaming — someone must have heard it. That’s how we were saved. How convenient for you that Edgar and I didn’t remember.”
“No one was there, Adam. No one could have seen any of that!”
“I was there, Lianna. I saw.”
“Oh. Right.” Lianna let out a strange, nervous laugh. She began backing up toward Edgar’s door. “This is like some kind of buried memory that came back in one of your dreams? This is silly, Adam. I’m hurt.”
Edgar looked from Adam to Lianna. “Where are you going?”
“He’s the one lying, Edgar!” Lianna swallowed hard. Her eyes darted. “You have no proof, Adam.”
“Do you?”
“I will not stand here and be insulted!” With that, she ran out of the house.
Adam fought the impulse to chase her.
Let her go. For now.
“Do you really remember?” Edgar asked, his face full of doubt.
Adam nodded. “We have a lot to talk about.”
Below them, the front door slammed. Edgar sank onto the bed, lost in thought. Confused.
Maybe it’s best to just leave it alone, Adam thought.
Let it die.
The squeal of tires made Adam jump.
He and Edgar ran to the window.
The first thing Adam saw was a hockey jersey.
Lianna’s.
She was lying on the road, facedown.
A car had skidded to a stop, diagonally across the road.
A green Volvo.
Lianna’s grandmother was pushing the driver’s door open, screaming.
“Oh my god,” Adam murmured. Edgar was already out the door. “Let’s help her!” Adam followed. It was the least he could do.