VIERZEHN JAHRE ALT (6)

Hope began smelling herself—her hands, her sweatshirt—but aside from her own perfume, she couldn't detect anything unusual.

"What smell?" Hope frowned. "I don't smell anything."

Lana started the car engine, and they began their journey home, continuing their conversation within the confines of the vehicle.

"You wouldn't be able to smell it, Hope. But remember, I'm not like you," Lana glanced at the sullen girl beside her.

"Yeah, I'm aware that you're 'different'," Hope said, rolling her eyes in an exaggerated manner and switching on the radio. However, there was no reception. "Is it broken?"

Hope's attempt to change the subject—from Lana probing about her new friends and the 'shifter scent' on her—stemmed from an eerie suspicion. Sometimes Hope wondered if Lana could actually tell when she was lying.

"No, it's just difficult to catch a signal in this area," Lana murmured, giving Hope another inquisitive look.