I can't grab my phone fast enough when I hear it buzz on my desk. After a couple false alarms, I'm not sure if I'm expecting a response, but any notification sets me on edge.

I read the text, breathing fast. It's her.

"Where are you?" I text, sending it before leaving the room to find my dad. With any luck, it would get through to her without the radiation.

Lea's response comes quickly. "I'm not sure. I feel like I'm in the normal world, but no one else is here."

The only way I can think of that she got my text is that the radiation provided a link between our phones, but I shove away that thought for the moment. What was I supposed to say to her now?

I find my dad, handing him my phone. "I got a response."

He reads the messages, twice over from the way his eyes skip back to the top again. "We need to give her parents a call. This is important."

An hour later the sky is dark, but Lea's parents are both gazing intently over my shoulder and at my phone. I feel extremely awkward, but that doesn't quench the feelings of both relief and worry.

I had waited to respond again until both of her parents were here, staring at Lea's recent text. I hated to wait so long, but my dad made a good point that her parents would want to be here before we kept texting.

The most recent text I had sent was asking if she was okay. There wasn't a response yet, which meant she was either typing, or didn't see it.

Finally, a text came in.

"I'm fine at the moment. Some... monsters have been coming out. One of them attacked me, hurting my back, but I got away. I've seen more monsters besides the two which attacked me."

We all stare at the text, besides Mrs. Jones, who buried her head in Mr. Jones' shoulder. My dad was sitting in a chair next to me, and wore a grim expression. "I think it may be time to pay the radiation lab a visit. We need some answers. I'll go tomorrow morning."

I nod, and he continues, "In the meantime, we should call her. It'll be easier than saying everything through text."

I hit the call button, and it rings for a couple seconds before suddenly stopping. I try once more, and this time the call stops much sooner. I get a single text from Lea: "stop."

Everyone is silent, utterly confused. What does she mean? But I follow her advice, not trying to call anymore. No one objects, and the word monsters runs through my head. What kind of monsters? Where on earth is she?

An hour passes, and we don't hear anything from her. Finally, my dad stands up. "We all need to get to bed."

"But Lea..." Mrs. Jones trails off, and I see tears in her eyes.

"You two can sleep in the guest bedroom here, if you're alright with that. If Lea texts, we'll wake you up."

Mr. Jones stands up, pulling Mrs. Jones up with him. "He's right, honey. We need to sleep." His face is lined with worry, but they follow my dad, who guides them to the spare room, leaving me alone. I get up, going into my room, and sitting down on the bed. Still no messages.

I plug in my phone, turning off auto lock and leaving it open to Lea's messages. Flipping back the covers, I get under, trying to breath steadily. I barely even know Lea, but all I can feel right now is concern. Where is she?

After ten minutes, I glance at my phone again, seeing nothing. I roll over, facing away from the phone. I'll hear if it buzzes.

Sleep takes a long time in coming, and I find myself checking my phone despite what I just told myself.

Finally, my eyes start to feel heavy, and I don't want to open them again. The last thing I think of before I drift off is a simple word. Monsters.