The usual high traffic on the highway to and from Mamba wasn't there. Most people remained in their office buildings, parked at the side of the road, or stayed indoors watching the news, waiting to learn more about the dome.

Officer Diana and I had left the supermarket, heading back to my apartment. As I stared outside the car—my chin placed on my palm—I thought about the videos on Earl's phone. I wanted to do something about them, but I was one man. A depressed and powerless man. I showed them to Officer Diana, and she promised to do something about it. I hoped she would. Otherwise, the little trust I had in her would vanish.

"Do you still want me to come?" I asked, not knowing why I did it. It just came out of my mouth. Did I think she was cool to hang out with? Or was I full and the tasty food had gone to my head?

"Where?"

"To the cremation ceremony."

She had informed me about cremating Mariah while leaving the supermarket. Before getting married, they had promised to cremate each other and throw the ashes in the ocean. I didn't know what kind of tradition that was, but it wasn't my place to judge. Ok, maybe a little judging was necessary. Like, what the chicken balls was that? A love pact? Damn weirdos with their weird shit.

The officer chuckled. "It's not a ceremony. Have you never been to a cremation?"

"Black people don't do cremations."

"True. But you know Mariah—"

"Yeah, yeah, white people."

She grinned. Her mood had lightened up extremely. Was I becoming a spiritual healer? If I failed at selling snacks, maybe I'd pursue spiritual healing. But I'd have to start with myself. Shit! No thanks.

"Whoever planned this attack is very smart," she said out of the blue. "The only way to know the mastermind behind the dome was through Mind-Thorn reading Shiver's mind. But the dome inhibits everyone's powers, including Mind-Thorn's."

She was right; this was too much to be a coincidence. It was a well-calculated plan. The ones behind it were playing us like a fiddle.

"I feel like there's something I'm missing. Something important. Something connecting all of this. I know it's not Shiver." She chewed her bottom lip.

"If we find you in your apartment alone, then we will tell you the truth and help you remember," Shiver had said.

Help me remember what? Trying to recall something I didn't know existed before today gave me a headache. I pinched the bridge of my nose and cleared my throat.

We arrived outside my apartment building as the sun finally appeared above the horizon.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

"It's been a long twenty-four hours. I'm usually high off my ass during this time, not out helping the police look for answers to a crime."

"You being there yesterday helped a lot. Shiver told you about the phases, and now we're going to do everything in our power to make him talk before Phase 3 happens."

"What if it already has?"

"Then I'll deal with it."

I raised a brow. "Alone?"

She sighed. "Go home and rest. You need it."

"You're right." I got out of the car.

Before I left, she said, "6 p.m. today. Be there."

"Be where?"

"At the cremation. Where else?"

Right. I slapped my forehead. I had forgotten. "Can't you pick me up and we can go together? I don't know where you're cremating her."

"Oh, hun. You think you're going to watch her get cremated?" She shook her head and tsked. "I had her cremated before I came to get you. All that remains is sending her ashes into the ocean."

"If everything is done, why is it still called a cremation?"

"It's not. I just call it that because the process isn't done until after I send her ashes away."

I shook my head. "This is why I don't talk to people or have friends. I nearly accused the cremation community of incompetence, but it's just you and your weird rituals."

"Wait, you consider me a friend?" She raised her brow and smirked.

"I consider you people." I turned away from her. "I'll be in my apartment if you decide to pick me up." I raised my fist. "Stay safe, Officer."

"I will."

The car's engine roared to life before the tires screeched as she drove away.

I walked past the basketball court and saw Curtis playing alone. I wanted to keep walking, but something inside me—something that made me chitty-chatty and friendly with people recently—made me head his way.

"Hey, Mr. Trey," Curtis said once he spotted me. "You want to play?" He extended his right arm with the ball in his hand.

"No, thank you. I'm too old for that."

"You don't look that old, Mr. Trey."

"How old do you think I am?"

"Twenty-five."

"I'm thirty."

"See? Not that old."

"I don't feel young." I walked over to one of the wooden benches on the side and took a seat. Curtis joined me. "Why are you out here this early?"

"Mom has a customer."

"I see." Come on, Lucinda. I thought you chose a new path after you joined the church. "How long have you been out here?"

"Before the dome appeared. It's been a busy night for her."

What was I supposed to say to a kid who watched his mother go back to her old ways? At first, all the other kids used to make fun of him having a prostitute for a mother. He used to bang on my door and ask if he could hide in my apartment until the other kids left. But as time passed, everyone in the neighborhood got used to his mother's line of work, and the other kids became friends with him. No one made fun of him anymore.

"I promise, once I make it as a pro, she won't do shit like this again. I have to make it." He gripped the ball. "I have no other choice."

I didn't say a word. Sometimes all you needed to do when someone was going through a tough time was to be there for them and listen. I didn't have that when I lost my mother. Luckily for Curtis, he had a slew of people to comfort him. And on a few occasions, I was one of those people.

"Do you want to play?" I asked him.

The sadness on Curtis' face decimated, and a bright smile came forth. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Unless you think you can't beat me?"

"Psht! Watch me take you down." He got up and started dribbling the ball. "First to fifteen?"

"It's on."

My apartment's window faced the basketball court. When I stood, I spotted a figure staring at me from inside. It was only for a few seconds before they stepped away.

They wanted me to see them. I turned to Curtis. "Hey, actually I have to go."

"But we haven't played a single game."

"I forgot I have someone to meet."

"Is it a lady?" He smiled.

Hopefully not. "Something like that. Raincheck on our game?"

"Sure. Stay safe, Mr. Trey."

"You too."

As I walked away, I wondered who or what was waiting for me. Chills ran down my spine, the hair on my arms rose, and my stomach sank.

Is this it? My chest tightened, and I hadn't noticed I was holding my breath until I arrived at my apartment. Now or never.

I unlocked the door, took a deep breath, and entered.