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“I’m not giving up,” I start to say but she cuts me off.

“Promise me, Thane,” she says, her fingers still digging into my skin. “Promise me that you won’t give up. You and I, we’re getting out of here someday. We’re getting out together.”

I swallow, closing my eyes to stave off the tears that want to fall. Finally, I open them back up, turning to face Tess. “I promise.”

“Good,” she says, finally letting go of my wrist. I bring it to my mouth, licking away the little bit of blood shed from her nails. “I don’t want to go out on my own. It’s you and me, okay?”

“Okay,” I force myself to say, a little more serious this time. “We’re getting out. You and me. I promise, Tess.”

Tess flops over, pulling me into a hug. I wrap my arms around her, holding on tight. I don’t know if I’d be as strong as I am if I didn’t have my twin by my side. I close my eyes, focusing on that trickling brook once more, allowing it to ease me into sleep.

Chapter One

Maverick

I roll up the sleeves of my zip-up hoodie. When I left my house this morning, I didn’t think it would be this warm. The air is humid but not oppressively. The perfect August day some would say.

I make my way towards the campus, preparing to meet with Dean Yaga. The plan is to have a small tour and then get the keys from her.

This is the start of a new chapter in my life. In the past, I’ve worked in emergency medicine. It was good. Really good. I love what I do, I love the people I’ve met, I love the people I’ve worked with.

My body isn’t too pleased with it though.

After years of emergency medicine, including a few years filling in as an EMT, I’m tired. The kind of tired that leaves you unable to get up in the morning. The kind of exhaustion that leaves your blood pressure too high, and your heart rate racing. The kind of burnout that makes your stomach twist and sour.

If I didn’t find a new job, my body was prepared to force me into a break.

I’m getting too old for this shit.

I walk through the gates of Creelin U, looking up at the gargoyles. I’m told some of them are alive and some of them are statues. I’ll have to take everyone’s word for that because I can’t tell one way or another.

They’re interesting. Stony, cold, always on guard. They have an important job even if no one recognizes that. Reminds me of myself.

Making my way through campus, I see random students. Classes don’t start for another two weeks but there are already students arriving and moving into the dorms. Most of them play on sports teams or have other reasons to be here early. Hence why I’m also here, getting the keys to the medical center I’ll be taking care of this year.

There’s a centaur and a werewolf playing frisbee in the quad as I pass. A zombie with a rolling dumpster is clearing out the trash cans. A couple sit together under a tree, sharing soft words with each other. If it weren’t for their pale skin and fangs, I would assume they were human. They lean in for a kiss and I quickly look away, not wanting to feel like I’m intruding.

This place is so full of life. Young and stupid life, but life nonetheless.

Gods, it’s been years since I’ve been in college. Thirty years or something like that. I was a whole different person back then. I was so optimistic and ready to take on the world.

Apparently working yourself to the bone takes the spark out of life a little bit. Now, all I see is a bunch of kids I’ll probably need to take care of after they make dumbass decisions. I barely stop myself from sighing as I continue walking in the direction of the library.

I try to remind myself that this is my fresh start. This is a step in taking better care of myself. I’m trying to find some semblance of inner peace, or some bullshit like that.

My father had a heart attack way too early in life and now that little ticking timebomb inside my chest reminds me that I can’t keep living the way I am. I have to find some ways to calm the fuck down before my body decides it’s too late. Surely, dealing with newly minted adults at college will be less stressful than manning an emergency room, right?

At the very least, I let Dean Yaga talk me into this. If it all blows up in my face, I’ll blame her.

I walk into the Creelin U library, making my way towards Mummy Mocha located in the building. This is where Dean Yaga told me to meet her.

“Well, hello,” someone says and I turn towards the counter, finding a handsome man smiling at me. He leans his hips against the counter. “I haven’t seen you here before. I would have remembered such a pretty face,” he says, adding a wink for good measure.

It takes all of my self-control not to roll my eyes in the guy’s face. Sure, he’s good looking, but not at all my type. It’s been so fucking long since I’ve taken someone home, but if I’m gonna, it’s certainly not going to be some cock-sure fuckboy like this. Not that there’s anything wrong with a confident man, but I prefer my men blushing and stuttering. I like it when I can take care of them in a way that forces them to gain some confidence under my hands. I like it when I’m the one in charge, telling them exactly how to act, how to feel pleasure, when to feel pleasure.

Huh, maybe that would be a nice stress reliever in the future.

“Right,” I say, my eyes landing on the guy’s nametag. Seth. I think I remember Dean Yaga mentioning this guy running the little coffee shop. Normally when I get hit on, I go with my tried and true method of reminding them I’m far too old for them. That line won’t work on a literal mummy. Instead, I just flash Seth a small smile. “Thanks, Seth. Can I get a coffee? Black is fine.”