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I knew I had crossed a line when he went ramrod straight, his hands curling into fists. His expression clouded over, gray storm clouds moving in front of the sun, before he jumped to his feet. In a matter of seconds, he was towering over me.

I wanted to cower at his proximity, to retreat in on myself as I had done time and time before, but I forced myself to keep my chin up. To meet his eyes that were penetrating my scalp.

Beau, beside me, stood up in alarm, but he was quickly restrained by Tanner. Beau may have been taller, but Tanner had considerably more muscle.

“He’s not going to hurt her,” Tanner whispered, probably expecting me not to hear.

I kept my gaze on Aiden, ignoring the struggle from behind me.

“Don’t talk about shit you know nothing about,” he hissed, placing his hands on my shoulders.

“Like Josie?” I asked, poking the bear. I was desperate for answers, desperate for some explanation that went beyond four simple rules. I had the distinct feeling that Aiden could offer me that. I just had to prod him enough times until he had no other choice but to answer me.

His hand clenched, unclenched, before clenching once more. With a guttural scream, he released my shoulders and stormed out of the cafeteria. I watched his muscles flex as he walked away. Ran away would be a more accurate description.

As soon as he left, I turned toward Beau. He didn’t need me to say anything. He had always been on the same wavelength as me, a product of our friendship.

With a nod, he grabbed my hand and pulled me from the cafeteria. I was vaguely aware of Tanner trailing behind us, hands in his pockets.

“Do you have anything in your room?” I asked Beau. He shook his head.

We ran through the lobby, the same lobby I had first seen Tanner in, and out the front door. It was still raining, heavy torrents that instantly drenched my blond hair and clothes. Still, I did not let that deter me as I raced down the steep steps, past the fountain, and to the heavy gates.

They reminded me of teeth. Heavy, keen teeth preparing to devour me whole. Goosebumps erupted on my flesh at the visual.

Getting eaten alive by a school…not the way I wanted to go.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Tanner called over the rumble of thunder. Beau, hand still gripped tightly in mine, merely glared at him. I could tell he felt the same as me: confusion, fear, and anger all battling for dominance.

What type of sick, twisted school did our parents send us to?

I would like to believe that Mom didn’t know, but doubt niggled my mind. The last few years had found us on a precarious ledge. One wrong move, and we would both topple over. I still loved her, but she wasn’t the mom I grew up with. She was…different. And not for the better.

The stepfather, on the other hand….

Anger thrummed through my veins, wave after wave of fire that settled in my core, burning me from the inside out. I wanted nothing more than to punch that smug prick until he bled.

“You ready?” I asked Beau.

His hardened eyes met mine before he nodded resolutely.

Without preamble, we pushed open the gates. I had expected them to be locked, but they opened easily. Too easily.

When had anything in life ever been this easy?

Despite my misgivings, I took the gift for what it was and ran through the fence. Lightning struck overhead, painting the landscape in white light, and thunder boomed, the sound reverberating through me.

I began to run in earnest, fear only spurring me on. Faster. I could run faster.

Beau suddenly stopped beside me, the movement so sudden that I nearly face-planted into a mud puddle. His face was unnaturally pale, eyes wide. Terrified.

And then I realized…

We had just exited the front door of the academy once more. The fountain. The stone staircase. The distressed wood.

The fence that was once more closed.

“What the hell?” I whispered, tugging on Beau’s hand. He came, somewhat dazed, and together we opened the fence once more.

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