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“Do you honestly think you can escape me? I know your secret, little girl. I know what you did.”
I shook my head. “No, you don’t. There’s no way.”
Just as I hoped, he knelt in front of me. My adrenaline kicked in, but I was waiting.
“I will end you. Not even your daddy’s money can save you now.” He leaned in, hesitating for a split second.
My hand flew up, and my nails scraped across his cheek and chin.
“You little bitch!” He grabbed his face, blood seeping between his fingers.
I watched the red crimson drip to the carpeted floor. Reality sunk in, so I jumped to my feet and bolted to the door.
“Run! I fucking dare you,” he snarled.
My arm shook as I fiddled with the lock then flung open the door and ran for my goddamn life.
A hoarse scream reached my ears and jolted me awake. Frantically, I searched around to see my roomies staring wide-eyed at me. Everlee trembled as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Babe, it’s okay. You fell asleep during a movie,” Teagan gently said before she touched my shoulder.
I flinched, my brain still struggling to comprehend where I was—a black couch with a matching recliner and tan accent wall.
“Look at me.” I tracked the voice then turned to see my best friend sitting next to me. “It was a bad dream. You’re safe and sound at home in Oregon. Leighton, Gabby, and Everlee are here too. See?” She pointed at the group of girls whose faces were drained of color.
“I’m okay.” With a trembling hand, I wiped the sweat from my forehead.
“I’ll get you some water,” Leighton said before hurrying to the kitchen, her tennis shoes against the wood floor the only noise for a moment.
“Girl, you scared the living shit out of us. Are you okay? That must have been one hell of a boogeyman after you.” Gabby’s expression grew serious as she sank into the recliner while Leighton returned with a bottled water for me.
I twisted off the cap and guzzled the cool liquid, welcoming it on my sore throat.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Teagan asked, curling up next to me. She flipped her long black hair behind her and shoved a hand into her burgundy hoodie pocket. Teagan reached around and pulled me to her.
I rested my head on her shoulder. “No. I don’t remember anything except a horrible feeling.” I’d just lied, but I couldn’t have them asking any questions. Some secrets couldn’t even be shared with your best friends.
“I’m so sorry that I scared you guys.” I tossed the blanket off me and sat up. “I’m exhausted, so I’m going to head upstairs.”
“I’ll go with you,” Teagan said.
“Night.” I hugged Gabby, Everlee, and Leighton before I made my way upstairs and to my room. Teagan was hot on my heels.
Dread twisted my insides. I’d known Teagan for a long time and suspected she hadn’t bought my lie that I didn’t remember my nightmare.
She closed the door behind us.
“What the hell?” Teagan hurried to the windowsill and grabbed my broken phone. “How did this happen?” She flashed the cracked screen at me as if I had no clue it was shattered.
“I dropped it.” Lie number two, but I wasn’t offering her any more information.
Teagan sighed and plopped down on the edge of my mattress. “What’s going on, Phoebe? Don’t bother lying to me like you did a few minutes ago. You’re white as a sheet, so spill.”
“Teagan.” I sat next to her, tucked my leg beneath me, and tugged on the hem of my T-shirt. “I’m tired. The change in time zones, schools, and a full course load are stressful and . . .”
Teagan scooted up on my bed. “And?” Her big brown eyes flickered with worry.
I sunk my teeth into my lower lip, struggling with what to say. “The nightmare was about the house fire.” It was the best I could come up with to tell her without having to traipse through memory hell when she demanded answers.
