My body is sluggish.
Every step feels slightly delayed, like I’m not fully inside myself.
And my thoughts—
My thoughts won’t stop.
Where are they taking us?
Where’s Archie?
Where’s Theron?
Are they still behind me?
Will I ever see them again?
The questions hit one after another, faster than I can process.
My chest tightens.
Because deep down, I think I already know the answer.
No.
We’re not meant to stay together. We’re not even meant to matter.
Just… pieces.
Separated. Sold.
The word makes my stomach twist.
Sold.
My mind flashes back to the party. The masks. The skulls. The way that red one watched me like I was already his.
A cold shiver runs through me.
Who are those people?
What kind of men come to a place like this?
What happens after someone buys us?
My throat goes dry.
Would my family even notice I’m gone?
The thought comes out of nowhere.
I swallow hard.
Probably not.
Or if they did, they’d spin it into something clean and acceptable.
Harley chose to leave.
