Not in fear.
In shock.
Tears instantly filled her eyes.
She pulled something from inside the rose.
A small silver pendant.
The gym remained silent.
Most people didn’t understand.
I did.
The second I saw it, my knees nearly gave out.
Because hanging from that chain was Mason’s guitar pick.
The exact guitar pick he carried everywhere.
The one he always kept around his neck.
The one we never found after the accident.
Hazel’s hands trembled violently.
“How?” she whispered.
Eli’s eyes filled with tears.
“I found it.”
The room remained frozen.
“I found it in my truck.”
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
Eli swallowed.
“The day of the accident, Mason helped me move some equipment for band practice.”
