Page 221 of Lessons in Cruelty

It’s a text from an unknown number.

UNKNOWN

Get out. He’s…

What the fuck?

I fumble with the phone, unlocking it to read the full message.

UNKNOWN

Get Out. He’s coming for you.

My blood turns to ice.

Who sent this?

Kai? Bastian?

Who’s coming for me?

…Kai?

…Bastian?

Melissa pushes me between the shoulders. “That’s it, that’s you!” she whisper-shouts, snatching my clutch and my phone from my hand. “Go, go, go!”

It’s so dark in the corridor, I hold up a hand to shield my eyes from the bright spotlight on stage. Subconsciously, I know that there are steps in front of me. But my brain and my body obviously had some kind of falling out, because I take the first two steps fine, but my brain imagines a third step that isn’t actually there.

I stomp down on thin air, lose my balance, and take two more stomps forward to catch myself.

Standing on the front of my long skirt.

Tripping.

Sprawling on hands and knees.

The woman who’d been standing near the podium rushes over to me, bending to help me to my feet. She’s wearing a black evening gown, the spotlight sparkling on swirls of intricate embroidery over the bodice.

“Are you alright?” she asks as she guides me to the center of the stage.

“Sure,” I manage. Barely.

I’m blushing so hard, so hot, it feels like my face is going to peel off.

“It’s my honor and privilege to introduce Haven Lee, this year’s recipient of the Agony Hollow College Social Change grant.” She claps, and eventually the crowd gets a little more enthusiastic.

I guess they were waiting for me to take a pie to the face, and they’re all feeling just a little disappointed.

At least it’s not that intimidating up here as I thought. I can only see the fringes of the crowd because the spotlight is so damn bright. I quickly pull down my hand when I realize I’m shielding my face again, and grip the sides of the podium.

“Uh, hi.”

The woman leans in. “A little louder.” Then she adjusts the microphone, putting it closer to my mouth.

“Hi.” There’s a screech of feedback that puts a lump in my throat. “Sorry. Uh.”

Great. My mind has gone utterly blank.