Chloe stepped through the door, balancing her grocery bags, a little out of breath. The faint smile on her lips faltered as soon as she noticed Zoe and Melinda. Both of them were already dressed, perched on the living room chairs like statues. Their faces were grave, their bodies tense, the kind of silence that made Chloe’s skin prickle.

She forced a small laugh, trying to break the tension. “Whoa… okay, what’s going on here? Why’s the mood so serious? Did someone die or ...