You have never seen your friends this shaken before. Not even when Rex died. Anuja may have been more distraught when her father went missing, but she never looked scared like this.
Worst of all, nobody will even look each other in the eye.
Though the fog drifts away almost completely only minutes after the explosion of lightbulbs, its presence is still felt as you venture outside. Addy's injury is worthy of a trip to the ER, but they're so frustrated with everybody that they insist on going alone.
"It's going to need, like, three stitches. It's not a big deal," they say as separate from the group to head home. "If my mom or dad are around, I'll have them take me. I need some me time anyway."
Diego sighs as he watches them leave. "The breaking of the fellowship," he says quietly.
"Don't," Anuja says. "Needing time alone doesn't mean anything is breaking. There are plenty of other things we have to worry about. Right now, though, I just want to go home. I feel sick."
You take Anuja home. She says nothing until it's time to say goodbye, and even then barely utters a word.
Later, when you're back in your own room with Lola, you notice something sitting in the center on your pillow.
It's the trilobite you gave Rex in fifth grade. The one Ashley thought you should have back, for some reason.
Maybe your mom found it and put it there? Maybe it fell out of the drawer while she was looking for batteries or a stapler or something and thought she ought to put it somewhere you'd be sure to see it.
You could ask her, but you already know the answer.
Your mind wanders back to Addy. Their hand looked like it was in bad shape.