I swallow hard. My throat feels tight, like I can’t breathe right. I’ve done bad things before—stupid things, violent things—but never this. Never something that feels like crossing a line I can’t come back from.
By the time we reach the outskirts of campus, I’m sweating through my shirt. The buildings rise up like ghosts—too familiar, too calm. The world keeps moving, students crossing lawns, laughing, carrying coffee cups and backpacks. They have no idea that monsters walk among them.
It takes exactly fifteen minutes before his patience starts to wear thin. Rico leans forward, scanning the crowd. “You see her?”
“No.”
He smirks. “You sure?”
I exhale through my teeth. “We’ve been waiting a while. How about I run in, check if she’s even around?”
Rico snorts. “What, you in a hurry to see her?”
“I just think if she’s not here, we’re wasting time. You want Victor pissed again?”
He thinks about it, then waves me off. “Fine. Go. I’ll stay here and keep the engine warm.”
He tamps the cigarette out on the dash and reaches for the radio. Static. He curses and starts fiddling with the dial. That’s my chance.
I grab my phone and slip out before I can change my mind.
The air outside feels thick, humid. My shoes crunch against some gravel as I cross the lot. Every step feels like I’m walking toward my own funeral. The main building is ahead, glass glinting against the sun. I know she’s not here. She’s gone. I saw it in her eyes the last time, she was done with all this. But the thought that she might be around, that I could be too late, makes me sick.
Inside, the halls buzz with the usual low hum—students, laughter, vending machines humming. I duck into the first empty restroom I find. The smell of disinfectant hits me hard. I check under the stalls. Empty.
Only then do I pull out my phone and hit Jamie’s name.
He picks up on the third ring. There’s music in the background—somewhere loud, maybe Crest.
“Avalon.Jamie, fucking Avalon.”
“Miles?” he says, already wary. I can hear him scrambling to find a quieter place. I wait until I hear a door click then his voice is much clearer now. “What’s wrong?”
I lean against the sink, staring at my reflection. I look like hell. “You have to find her,” I say. “Right now.”
“What?” His tone sharpens. “What’s going on?”
“They’re looking for her. My uncle—he got word she was seen at Marano’s. He thinks she knows something.”
Jamie swears so hard I almost flinch. “Tell me you’re not—”
“I’m not,” I say quickly. “But Rico is determined to kidnap her. And Victor’s serious. We are supposed to grab her. Today. Right now.”
Silence on the other end, then a low growl of anger. “Where are you?”
“At the school. They have no idea she’s not here so I’m buying time. It’s only a matter of time before they figure out she’s not at the campus, and then…I don’t want to think about it.”
“I’ll find her. Keep stalling.”
“I’m trying.”
“Miles, be—”
I think I hear footsteps so I hang up before he can say the rest. I can’t afford to be caught talking to him.
I splash cold water on my face, trying to steady my breathing. My reflection stares back, pale and hollow-eyed. I don’t recognize myself anymore.
When I step out of the bathroom, there’s no sight of Rico, but I almost collide with Bella. She’s got her hair pulled back, oversized hoodie, iced coffee in hand.
