I had that room.

He met it for the first time that morning, and mistook it for fatigue.

He stepped out a few minutes later to take a call, and through the cracked door I caught only pieces of it. Not here. A pause. I told you, Nerissa, I’m handling it. Another pause. My parents are on their way.

His parents.

Rockwell and Anneliese Draycott had never disliked me in any way I could point to.

They didn’t have to.