Page 16

I turn my body before my head—unable to take my eyes off the car park—and start walking towards the staircase. I collide with something hard, almost knocking onto my ass, but my elbow is grabbed by a firm hand, steadying me.

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going,” I splutter, raising my head to the hooded figure, who’s already making their way out of the door.

“That’s okay,” a barely audible, gruff voice mumbles.

The door shuts behind him, and I watch as he takes a left at the gate, disappearing behind a line of trees.

My body physically shivers, arms jittering.

“I need to get upstairs,” I mutter to myself, calling the lift down. Stepping inside, I select my floor and rest the back of my head against the mirrored wall, closing my eyes and letting it take me up, away from the night and into the somewhat safety of my home. The lift dings open to the grey-carpeted corridor, and I trudge to the door at the very end.

“Hello, Obsidian,” I coo as I step into my darkened flat, feeling fur twisting around my bare legs.

I flick on the light, illuminating the plain white room. Crouching towards Sid, I scratch under his chin as he meows.

“What? I fed you before I left!” I throw my arms out to the sides. Sid tilts his head at me, tail gracefully snaking behind him. Huffing, I playfully stomp towards the glossy, white kitchenette and open the top cupboard where I keep his food. I learnt my lesson the first time he found it and destroyed the entire bag. There was kibble all over the floor, some of it half-chewed and spat out.

Safe to say we switched to a more prestigious brand of cat food after that.

“Don’t blame me when the vet puts you on an even stricter diet.” I point at him, and he narrows his yellow eyes at me.

Food clinks as I pour some into his bowl, then place it in his metal tray holder.

I adopted Sid after I moved into this flat. I was lonely, and I needed a friend.

A ding comes from my jumper pocket. I pull out my phone, flip it over, and see it’s a message from an unknown number again. Knowing it’s Luke—and not being the slightest bit interested in what he has to say—I throw it on the marble worktop. I don’t think I can handle any more stress tonight.

I’m exhausted.

Sighing, I pad over to the windows to close the curtains. I always forget to do it before I leave. It’s something that I need to get better at remembering. But I’m not great at keeping track of time, and being late for work is something that I want to avoid. Priorities.

As I pull closed one of the curtains, I catch a glimpse of a hooded figure standing on the other side of the street. Gasping and heart racing, I snap both curtains shut.

Please be my imagination. Please be my imagination.

So, like a completely sane person, I peel it open slightly, allowing myself a little gap to look.

Nothing.

I’m seeing things. I think I need to get a good night of sleep. Maybe a night off wouldn’t hurt…

“It’s time for bed, Sid,” I sigh, closing them again.

I shower and get comfortable in bed. Scrolling through social media, I see videos of dance classes, and a smile touches my face. Sharing my skills with others is something I have wanted to do since I was a little girl. Dance saved me from so many things in my life, and opening a studio with affordable classes would help me teach the next generation so they can fall in love with dance like I did. Give them the escape they need and shut off their minds.

Almost there.

Chapter 6

Xander

I'm still reeling from her performance; the eagerness of finding her has taken the driver's seat.

“Jac will need you here more than I do,” I say, pushing open the back exit door of the club.

“You want me to stay?” Ezra asks, eyebrows pulling into the middle of his forehead.

Jayden shuffles to the side, holding the door open as we take the stairs down, the bass of the music inside turning low.