I was so worked up about Gabriel and Grayson and his buddies and being in the lake that I forgot about Gus. I felt like the biggest idiot on the planet. How did he slip my mind? How could I have forgotten the guy whom I watched being pushed into the lake? Now I understood why Gabriel pushed him. Gus was close pals with those snobby ladies and Anthony. Even though that he never did bully me and Adalee. And he visited my house only to check up on me. Thoughtful. Never have I had a guy check in on me.
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Gabriel tilted his head to the side. "I am surprised that you feel horrible...but you should be. How can you just stand there while your friends pick on me and a pretty girl who was in a horrific accident? She had no control over losing her arm and her leg. You are old enough to know that."

Did he just call me pretty?

"What about Adalee?" Gus reminded him. "You realize that she was bullied too, right?"

"Yes, yes. But Adalee is not the girl with the prosthetic limbs."

Gus must have lowered his hand because he said, "It is a shame that you do not want to shake my hand."

Gabriel grabbed ahold of the doorknob. "What sensible person would want to shake hands with a bully?"

"What if I told you that I will change?"

"Saying and doing are two different things."

"I promise to change for the better, Gabriel. I will leave my bullying ways behind me and be a new me."
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I also understood why Gabriel was more worried about me than my sister. It was because I was disabled. But I was more of a prize to add to his twisted collection. He wanted me not because of my personality or kind heart or strong will. No, no. Not because he wanted to be my best friend. Not because he loved me. But because I am disabled. He wanted me to join Grayson and the rest of the disabled. He shoved me - us - in a freezing lake and watched us fall. Fall to the bottom while gasping for air and trying to swim back to the surface.

But why push Gus in the lake? If he was not disabled...

I was about to look for Gus when I realized that he was fine. He was not in the lake. In the image, he was at the kitchen table - and soaking wet. His hair was matted to his head. His clothes stuck to his skin. He was shaking. Is it bad that I feel sorry for him?

Gus took off his sneaker and turned it over. You would not believe how much water was in it. Enough to make a pool. It spilled on the tile floor. I would have gotten a bit angry that he made a mess. But he nearly drowned. Almost passed. He experienced something traumatic. I am positive that his head was spinning. Poor guy could not comprehend that he almost met death. I was soooo ecstatic and soooo relieved that he was alright. If only I were there. If only I could comfort him and Adalee.

Adalee walked to Gus and handed him a big towel. She was okay too. I quickly examined her. Yep. My favorite sister was okay. Gabriel did not harm her - yet. I could not hear what she and Gus were saying. I was just glad that they were still alive.

But where was Gabriel?

Gus put his sneaker back on before wrapping the towel around him. His face was as pale as a ghost's. His teeth chattered. He lifted his head and looked straight ahead - as if he were looking at me. Looking into my eyes. He missed me. He was concerned about me. I saw it in his eyes. So much worry. I reached for him. For the image. I almost lost my balance when it popped.

Grayson squeezed my hand. "So...want to see Gabriel's body now?"

I was deep in thought. "Um...before I do...I must know. I must know if Gus...loves me."

"Would you be uncomfortable if he did?"

"Yes. No. I-I am unsure. I-I would be surprised if a guy like him loved me."

"I suggest that you ask him yourself."

My eyes widened. "W-why must I ask him? Why can ya not tell me? Just tell me. I can take it...I think."

"You will feel better once you discuss it with Gus. Trust me. I have known Gabriel long enough to know what is true love. So go to him - after I show you the body."

Seemed like an eternity to reach Gabriel's corpse when it was actually around two minutes. The corpse was on the other side of the lake. It was not easy walking while in the water. I gasped and covered my eyes when I saw it at last. Saw Gabriel's dead body.

I have seen dead bodies. Not when they are decayed. It was nothing but clothes and bones. The skeleton of the boy who drowned in this very lake.

Grayson uncovered my eyes once again. "Scary, huh?"

I looked at him and nodded.

"Ready to leave now? You have been down here for the last few chapters."

I nodded again. "But I do not want to leave you or your friends. I do not want you all to be stuck here forever."

He cupped his hand around his ear. "A fantastic idea. I owe you one, Jack."

"Who is Jack?"

"One of my friends. He reminded me that there is only one way to free us. It will not be easy, but my pals and I will help you every step of the way."

A smile spread across my face. "Great! I am thrilled. So what should we do?"

"You must bring Gabriel's body to the surface and bury it in the graveyard."

I hesitated. "...what?"