Brenda sat on the edge of the couch, clutching her phone tightly. Her desperation to understand what was happening in Stacey’s life led her to call Stacey’s best friend, Emma. “Hi, Emma,” Brenda began, trying to sound casual. “I just wanted to check—has Stacey been okay lately? Has she said anything unusual?”
Emma hesitated. “Well, she hasn’t been hanging out with us much,” Emma admitted. “She’s been spending time with some… older friend. I don’t know much about them. Stacey never introduced us, but she seems to be with them a lot after school.” Emma’s words sent a chill down Brenda’s spine.