Chapter 22 Sirius's Monster

• A strangled sob passes my lips as I stare at my name on the folded piece of paper. Alston wrote this. I’d recognize that scripted E anywhere. I crawl across the room and pull myself into the center of the bed, cradling the note to my chest.
• My hands tremble as I struggle to rip the note open. I have to wipe my tears away with the back of my hand and take several deep breaths before I can steady myself to open Alston’s note to me. Just as I begin to unfold the paper, I hear the creak of the door opening. My heart skips a beat, and I quickly hide the note under my pillow.
• Sirius stumbles into the room, disheveled and reeking of whiskey. His shirt is untucked, his hair messed up, and there is a haunted look in his eyes. “Sirius,” I whisper, moving to sit on my knees.