Mind Games

At the end of her junior year, Thea reflects on her college experience. While she enjoys her studies, her romantic life is more turbulent. Her first sexual encounter disappoints her, but her second leaves her feeling connected, so much so that she tells the boy, Asher Billings, about her psychic gift. However, he betrays her trust, making her a campus outcast. Still, Maddy’s unwavering support helps Thea persevere.

Despite setbacks, Thea thrives academically, especially in her game-design class. She worries about her final project, a role-playing game based on her childhood dream world, Endon. When she meets Professor Cheng, she expects criticism but instead receives high praise. Cheng gives her a perfect score and asks to share her work with a contact at Milken, a major game publisher. Thea is overwhelmed and agrees, choosing to deliver the news in person once she returns home.

However, before she can leave, Detectives Musk and Howard surprise her at her dorm. At first, she panics, thinking that Riggs has escaped, but they seek her help. Howard, grateful to Thea for saving his life via her cryptic warning about “blue stairs,” explains that a 15-year-old girl, Shiloh Durning, was abducted. Thea reluctantly uses her gift, connecting with Shiloh through a photo and a pair of earrings, and experiences the girl’s trauma (confinement, assault, and fear) firsthand.