“Who is this? Why are you doing this?”
The person on the other end clearly relished her terror, the sharp laughter growing even more unhinged.
“Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that you better start praying your friend survives the night.”
“Oh, and a friendly warning—tell the rest of your little circle to watch their backs. I wonder who’s going to get unlucky next? Keep your eyes peeled. Hahaha…”
With a final manic laugh, the line went dead, leaving nothing but a dial tone.
Scarlett was shaking violently. Her face completely devoid of color, she looked up at Talia, Julian, and Chatwin.
“Scarlett, who was that? Is Gordon okay?” Talia asked frantically, sensing the shift in the air.
Scarlett took a jagged breath, forcing herself to speak.
“It was a stranger. They said Gordon was in a massive pileup.”
“What?!” all three shouted in unison.
“And they said…” Scarlett paused, raw terror flashing in her eyes. “They said it was my fault. They told me to warn you all to stay away from me, or else you’d be next.”
Talia gasped. “Who the hell has the nerve to pull something like this? It’s a civilized city! They’re just trying to scare you!”
“Don’t panic, Scarlett. Whoever this lunatic is, we’re not going anywhere. We’ll handle this together!”
Julian placed a firm, steadying hand on her shoulder.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions. Right now, we need to find Gordon and see how bad it really is.”
They sprinted out of the restaurant.
As soon as they hit the street, they saw the flashing lights. Just a block away, the road was barricaded by police tape, completely swarming with emergency vehicles.
“Hey! What are you doing? Are you family? Get behind the tape, you’re interfering!” an officer shouted at her.
Before she could reply, movement caught her eye.
A few yards away, paramedics were sprinting toward an ambulance, pushing a stretcher.
The young man on the stretcher was covered in blood, his injuries catastrophic.
But as he passed by, Scarlett saw the tall, familiar frame. And on his limp, bloodstained wrist, a familiar string of wooden prayer beads dangled loosely.
Scarlett felt like she had been plunged into freezing water.
It was Gordon Wyatt.
He really was in the crash.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: He Lost Me to His Best Friend
Yardley got what he deserved, now the rest of them need to go down with him!...
Why can't these people leave Scarlett alone, damn!...
Really enjoying this novel. 😀...