breaths. Exhaustion seeped into every mus
hrough a shower, and, without bothering to dry her hair,
l. Nightmares hounded her sleep,
ng, she jolted aw
n a dim, fading light. A cold breeze crept in throu
uched her forehead, feeling the ala
itterly, sighing as she tried
nd shrill. She fumbled for it, her
e irate voice of the convenience store owner ra
er heart sank. She'd only landed this part-time job a couple of
on my
ith Julian's constant meddling and threats
ls, and hastily got herself ready. Her body protested e
ic her life was, sh
ma to think about. She'd be damned
ng with people. It was late, and the convenience store, loc
was performing at the bar tonight, wh
lids heavy. She took out her phone and sent a quick message to Shawn. "D
ered. She guessed he wa
rms, intending to close her eyes for just a minu
try chime jer
es fully, she straightened
cigarettes." A young man's voice ran
bleached blue hair lifted his head from his
adow, his loyal little sidekick. Wherever Le
anced out the store's wi
et, surrounded by his usual crowd. A
ession remained indifferent. His hands were buri
, he also looked down on Bethany. Alec's mouth tw
an into!" he called out to the group outside, his voi
how out of place she'd always seemed among Julian's cir
shifted lazily towards Bethany. The moment
f she were a complete stranger. Then, with a slight lift of his
he loyal lapdog he was, he jogged back to the side of the street, offe
ake it, his hands still
ourage followed in his wak