Page 240 of Fame & Rhythm

My body jerks violently as another tremor rips through me, dragging me out of the black, empty void where there is no music, no color, just nothing.

A voice cuts through the ringing in my ears, rough and impatient. “Acacia, wake the fuck up.”

My eyes snap open to find Loretta leaning over me, her hands gripping my shoulders as she shakes me hard enough to rattle my bones.

“Oh, thank fuck,” she mutters. “I didn’t think I hit you that hard.”

Before I can even process where I am, she yanks me out of the car, and my legs struggle to hold my weight as the world tilts sharply beneath me. It takes a moment for my vision to adjust, for the shapes around me to make sense, and when they finally do, I realize we’re back at the goddamn park where we met. The sky is just beginning to lighten, soft pinks and pale blues bleeding into streaks of gold, almost beautiful despite the horror unfolding beneath it.

A flicker of movement catches my eye, and the little bluebird flutters near my head again.

My head.

Fuck.

Pain crashes into me all at once. My skull pounds, my lip throbs, and my thumb sends sharp, unbearable pulses up my arm. A groan escapes me before I can stop it. “What are we doing?” I manage, my body swaying as I fight to stay upright.

“Your parents are on their way,” she replies, her tone far too calm.

Relief sparks briefly, until the image of Aston flashes through my mind, lying motionless on the floor with blood pooling beneath him.

Oh God, he has to be okay.

Loretta jerks me forward again, and I stumble after her, barely keeping pace as we move through the empty park. The early morning stillness makes everything feel eerie, like the world is holding its breath.

“Walk faster,” she snaps, tightening her grip.

I try, but my body isn’t cooperating. My foot catches, and before I can recover, I pitch forward, hitting the gravel hard. Pain scrapes across my face and legs as a broken sound leaves my throat.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Acacia,” she groans, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking me upright.

I cry out as the sharp pull sends another wave of pain through my skull, the sudden movement making my stomach lurch violently. Saliva floods my mouth, and I double over, vomiting onto the ground beside her shoes.

“Jesus Christ,” she mutters in disgust. “You really can’t handle drugs, can you?” She drags me away from it, barely giving me time to breathe before pulling me toward the grass, where the softer ground feels almost soothing compared to the gravel.

We reach the bench beneath the oak tree, the same tree, and a shiver runs through me at the sight of it.

I fucking hate this tree.

She shoves me down onto the seat, and even sitting still doesn’t stop the world from spinning. As I try to steady myself, she reaches behind her waistband and pulls out a knife, the blade glinting in the early morning light. My eyes lock onto it instantly, and a cold dread settles deep in my gut.

Maybe she wasn’t joking after all.

“They won’t be long now,” she says, almost casually. “You’ll be back with your family, and I’ll have my million. See? Not so bad.”

The bluebird lands lightly on my shoulder, chirping as though none of this is real, and I find myself smiling faintly at it despite everything.

“Answer me!” she snaps.

I blink up at her, struggling to focus. “Sorry… what?”

She exhales sharply, clearly irritated, lifting her hand as though she’s about to strike again—

“Don’t you dare hurt her!” Mum’s voice cuts through everything.

My head jerks up, and behind Loretta I see them, Mum, Dad, and Aston. The relief that hits me is so strong it almost knocks me over.

He’s okay.