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Was she reading in her room? I pulled out the fruit, placing it on the counter before I reached into my pocket and pulled out my knife. The blade snapped open. Sharpened to perfection. I picked up a pear and started. Slicing neatly. Thin, even slices. The skin unblemished.

Cloves.

Rain.

The sound of a shaking voice.

The knife moved cleanly through the pear.

“She noticed the one I cut for her.” Mrs. Reid muttered.

I lifted my head. My cut never stopped. “I knew she would.”

Some dangerous part of me wanted her to.

I wanted her aware of me.

Just as I was aware of her.

15

NYSSA

Mud packed under my nails. Cold rain hammered against my back as I crawled through the gravel and weeds, dragging icy air into burning lungs. The fence… the fence was just ahead. I twisted hard enough to look back, then ahead once more. Bent wire. Freedom.

Behind me⁠—

Screaming.

Not mine.

Go! Andrea shrieked from inside the building. RUN NYSSA!

My vision blurred.

I pushed harder.

Sharp stones tore skin from my palm as I held my useless arm against me. I could hear them inside now. Men shouting. Doors slamming open. Heavy boots striking concrete.

And underneath it all⁠—

Cloves.

Smoke.

Rain soaked deep into wool.

My stomach dropped violently.

No.

No no no⁠—

Agony ripped along my arm and plunged into my shoulder. I clawed forward anyway. The fence was right there. Close enough to touch. I kicked, driving myself toward that steel line. My damp nightdress clung to my skin.

A hand burst through my hair so hard my neck snapped backward.

I screamed.