Finn looks past the teacher to me.
I glance away. I’m not sure if his presence is going to make this better or worse.
“That’s mine.” Finn speaks in a quiet voice. It may be because the hallway is empty or the fact that my heart is starting to pound, but his tone—though low—cuts sharper than a blade.
“W-what’s yours?” the teacher stammers.
His expression doesn’t change, and he doesn’t speak again. He just keeps staring at her with that frighteningly unreadable expression.
The teacher’s face drains of color, and she throws my hand away as if it’s poisonous. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”
The woman is about to pee on herself.
But Finn barely bats an eye. He walks away as if both of us aren’t worth his time.
The teacher launches into the nearest classroom as if she can’t get away fast enough. Even her shadow looks scared…
Her shadow?
The answer strikes me at that moment.
I got it!
I know why those three boys looked familiar.
Chapter Twenty-Two
FINN
After stopping J from being dragged off, I don’t expect thanks, but I do expect her to follow me.
She’s a smart girl, and the next step she should have taken was obvious.
But J is not easily controlled.
It takes mere seconds to realize the only footsteps I hear thudding through the hallway are mine. A glance over my shoulder confirms I am completely alone.
Just then, the door leading to the emergency stairwell bangs shut.
My little puppet thinks she can run from me?
Annoyed, I change directions and follow J into the stairwell. The door slams loudly behind me, and my eyes adjust to the darkness.
Where did she go?
Below, I hear the thud of footsteps and peer over the edge of the staircase. To my surprise, J hasn’t gone far. She’s right below this landing. Her thin arms are looped around the railing, andshe presses her cheek against the top casing as she catches her breath.
“Dammit,” she hisses. “I’m not even going that fast.”
My lips quirk.
Who would think I’d have such fun with an injured mouse? To be fair, though she’s handicapped in some ways, she more than makes up for it with her cunning and wit.
What your opponent sees as your weakness, forge it into your strength.
Sensei would like her.
J looks up at that moment. She jumps back at the sight of me and then winces. “What are you? A ghost? I didn’t hear you come in.”
