Chloe’s POV

We stared at each other for what felt like hours, even though the clock on the wall said only seconds were passing.

My phone lay on the bed between Zoe and me, glowing softly like it carried a heartbeat of its own. The room felt too quiet, too tight, like the walls were slowly closing in.

“Open it,” I whispered, even though my throat felt dry.

Zoe hesitated. Her fingers hovered over the screen, then she picked the phone up like it might explode in her hands. Her ...