Abby

IAN and I stood back as Joseph knocked at Braden's door.

Nothing.

"Like I said, no answer." Jesse's jaw muscles flared. "We've looked everywhere."

"Braden?" Joseph knocked again. He looked down for a moment, a more serious look on his face now. "I'll go get the key."

He started down the hall, and Jesse and Artie followed. Artie carried Killer in his arms, petting him, then sat him down on the ground. "Go find Braden."

The little dog barked, excited tail wagging, then said, "And explode?"

"No, no. He's a friend. You know what he looks like." Artie's eyes urged him on. "Go find him. Disengage guard dog mode."

The dog looked a little sad but complied. How had he programmed simulated emotions into the dog? It was impressive.

As they left us behind, Ian stepped up to the door. "Let me give it a try."

What did he think he was going to be able to do against Artie's nearly-impenetrable locks?

He jiggled the handle, then pushed against it too hard, snapping it against the door frame. "Crap." The door swung open.

"You didn't have to break—"

Ian held up a hand to cut me off, then stalked slowly into the room with an intense look.

"Braden?" Ian's call was met with silence. He went for the stairs and climbed them cautiously. "Braden?"

I followed him up the stairs and chirped a scream at the top, covering my mouth.

Braden lay on the bed, soaked in blood, a large knife protruding from his chest.

Ian coiled around me, shielding me from it, and hauled me down the stairs.

"He's dead." I was on the brink of tears. "I can't believe he's dead."

Ian took me out the door, then loosened his hold on me. "It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay." He held me, his hand keeping my head against his chest, brushing against my hair soothingly.

"Somebody killed him," I said. "Right there in his room. Someone killed him with a knife."

He kept his hold on me. "Don't worry. We'll get this figured out. Let's get Joseph."

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