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Then I noticed her purple backpack beside the door.
She had forgotten it.
I picked it up, intending to run outside after them, but Linda’s car was already gone.
As I held the backpack, something inside shifted.
I opened it.
Notebooks.
A granola bar.
A sweatshirt.
Then, beneath everything else, I found a crumpled piece of lined paper.
I unfolded it.
The message was short.
Let’s see if you still think it’s funny when your hair is gone.
I read it again.
Then again.
My stomach twisted.
Was Emily being bullied?
Had someone threatened her?
Had that been why she cut her hair?
And if Linda knew, why hadn’t she told me?
I pressed my hand over my mouth.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
The empty house offered no answer.
Then my phone buzzed.
Melissa.
Of course.
Her message appeared immediately.
Rachel, Karen called out sick. We’re slammed. I need you back here.
Without thinking, I started typing.