ere chafed raw from the restraints, my limbs heavy with sedatives. The world was a hazy

eet, cloying scent of Britney' s perfume. She floated in, a v

"Look at you. So tragic. Cole was right, you really did crack,

e. "You stole it," I rasped, my voice hoarse. "You and C

. Your father just had a weak heart. Bad luck, really. As for Aura... well, Cole says it was just sitti

swiping. "But don't worry, you're st

He was smiling, a triumphant, confident smile. And in his hand, held aloft for the cameras, was a sleek, silver device. My "Aura

father's dream. My heart, my soul, twisted into a marketable product for his greedy hands, and Britne

uddenly felt flimsy, inadequate. I pulled, twisted, a primal strength surging through me. The leather str

e my arm free, then the other. My legs thrashed. I kicked the me

ing her phone. "She's v

e rage fueled me. I slammed into Britney, sending her reeling. She c

he nurses now streaming into the hallway. I ran. My bare feet slapped against the c

her!" Their voices

sidered investing in their new wing. The emergency exit. It was at

guard lunged, but I dodged him, my body moving on pure instinct. I burst through t

of lightning. Rain lashed at my face, plastered my thin gown to

rd a voice behind me. Heavy fo

I stumbled onto the asphalt, my lungs burning, each breath a painful gasp.

e rough road. The car was fast. Too fast

me flying through the air like a ragdoll. The world spun. My body hit the ground with br

uting, and then, a familiar voice,

h my God

liar. A face, shadowed by the downpour, swam in

e!" The voice was

wavering Eric. His face, contorted with fear, was the l