“Jasper and Coral will come find me here,” says Agate. “That’s the family emergency plan.” Family emergency plans. You’d think my family would have one, except basically our plan is run to each other and hold on for dear life, and it’s not working right now. My parents are still not here. The school is almost empty, and with the power out it’s dim and quiet. There’s no hum from the air conditioner, no chatter of voices. A fire truck goes by, a few streets away. We listen to the siren fall, and Agate squeezes my wrist. “I’ll stay,” she says. “Okay.” I put my other hand on Herc’s head, squeezing
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