When night fell, Abby was relaxing in her room, just like she usually did. But instead of playing games or
watching TV, tonight she was on the phone with one of her best friends, Cindy.
"I'm telling you, something feels off," Abby said. "Everyone's acting weird at school again. Even Joe."
"I mean, that kid's always a little strange," Cindy replied, "but with everything that's happened lately,
especially with Jay, can you really blame them?"
Abby paused. Cindy had a point. What happened had shaken everyone. It made them all realize just how
fragile life was.
Someone so close to them had been affected. When Sam passed away, it was sad, but Sam had always
kept to himself. No one was really close to him. People mourned, sure, but his absence didn't leave a hole
in their daily lives. Jay, though… Jay was different. His sudden disappearance had left a silence no one
could ignore.
"What I'm really interested in," Cindy practically shouted, "is Max staying over at your house!"
