Free The Inn Between by Marina Cohen

the house followed by Quinn’s mother. She carries something. Quinn sees it and it’s like a hard punch to her stomach. She can’t breathe. It’s as though some invisible beast has sucked up all oxygen, leaving barely enough for Quinn to fill half her lungs. Nothing will ever be okay again. Nothing. She crumples to a heap on the floor, sobbing and gasping for air.
    The officer holds Emma’s orange backpack.

 
    13
    C OLD WATER SMACKED Q UINN’S FACE. Her eyelids fluttered.
    â€œQuinn? Quinn? You okay?”
    The world fizzed into focus. Kara was inches away, her expression twisted with worry. Quinn tried to sit up, but sank back onto the hot cobblestones. “Emma,” she muttered. “Em.”
    Kara and Josh exchanged curious glances.
    â€œHeatstroke,” said Josh. “I told her to come into the water.”
    â€œHush,” said Kara. “Give me that glass.”
    Quinn held up a limp hand and turned away. She thought Kara was going to douse her again with ice water. Instead, Kara slipped her arm under Quinn’s neck.
    â€œHere. Take a sip.”
    Kara tipped the glass, just enough to wet her friend’s lips. Quinn opened her mouth and let the cool liquid run down her throat. She took another sip and raised her head. She gripped Kara’s shoulder. “It’s Emma. She’s here.”
    Kara took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She looked at Josh, then back at Quinn. “You passed out. You must have been dreaming.” Her voice was soft and comforting, but her words were firm.
    Quinn searched past Kara, past Josh, toward the hotel. She squinted and scanned each of the windows of the topmost floor. There was no pink-capped figure staring down at her. She couldn’t understand it. She was so sure.
    â€œListen, Kara. I saw her. She’s here. Emma is here.” Quinn hoisted herself back onto the chaise and took the glass from Kara’s hand. She drank a few more mouthfuls and set it down. “You have to believe me. I saw Emma. It was her.”
    â€œRiiight,” said Josh slowly. “Like the time you saw her at the zoo?”
    â€œAnd the time we had to chase after that girl at the mall with the same jacket as Emma?” said Kara.
    â€œAnd all those pink caps,” added Josh.
    She shook her head. “This was different. I swear. This time I really saw her. I have to find her.” She tried to stand, but Kara pulled her down.
    â€œQuinn. You passed out. You must have thought you saw her. Josh, go get help.”
    â€œI’m fine.” Quinn shrugged free from Kara’s hold.
    She stood up, still a bit weak in the knees, steadying herself against the top of the chaise, and stepped into her boots. She darted toward the side of the hotel where she’d seen Emma, shading her eyes, searching all the windows once again. She could feel the other guests watching her, including Rico, but none of them mattered. All that mattered was Emma.
    â€œSatisfied?” called Josh.
    â€œEmma is here. I know she is.” Under her breath, she added, “And I’m going to find her.”
    Without warning, Quinn sprinted the length of the pool toward the entrance to the hotel. Over her shoulder, she heard Kara shouting.
    â€œQuinn! What are you doing? Josh—grab your stuff! Quinn! Wait!”
    Before Kara could catch her, Quinn ducked inside the hotel, made a sharp turn, and disappeared into the corridor that led into the wing where she’d seen Emma. Behind, she heard Kara’s muffled calls, but Quinn wasn’t going to stop, not until she’d found her sister.
    The hallway seemed endless. Quinn ran as fast as her jittery legs would carry her. She searched frantically past door after door for a stairwell that could not be found. Somewhere on the topmost floor, Emma was waiting. She had to get to her—before she disappeared again. Before it was too late.
    Quinn turned several corners, stumbled up two