who once pursued me had vanished, but my unease remained. I rarely allowed myself to remain in one

osition to claim any sort of recognition. So, I did what I knew best-I found a way to make money from behind the curtain. I created an anonymous online business offering investment adv

as the way my so-called family had bound me. I was never allowed the chance to earn a proper degree. Instead, my education was confined to the walls of St. Augustine's C

st maddening part was that I wasn't allowed to be adopted. I couldn't fathom how that could be possible until one day I discovered that my estranged father was, i

nty and constant vigilance, was infinitely preferable. Seven years had passed since I began my escape, and I had come to terms

m one piece of advice, free of charge, and waited. When my predictions proved accurate, many of them became clients. They would email me problems to solve, and I would always respond, analyzing

ut drawing attention. Still, I wasn't in the slums anymore, nor was I working in a coffee shop. I could afford better clothes, designer pieces, but I onl

me. In my life, only one person had truly cared for me-Oberon, the man who had called himself my mother's friend. He had been my teacher, my confidant, and the only father figure I'd ever known. He had sacrificed himsel

ak. I always ran a few miles to clear my head, but tonight, something pushed me further. I ran with no particular destination in mind, driven by an urge I couldn'

, I realized it was a car, crashed into a tree,

?" I called out cautiously, d

tered window to find a man slumped behind the

bling to open the door. It was stuck at first, but after some effort, I ma

..." I whispered, pan

no other obvious injuries. My hands shook as I reached for his pul

st. His bloodshot eyes opened slowly, locking onto m

murmured, his

" I stammered,

kly, tossing

e. I can call

me off. "My p

apped into the seatbelt. "You're still

, demanding, even though he

ying to find a black object in a black car, but after what felt like an eternity, I spo

I found it!" I yelled, bu

y, blood spilling from his lips. I cringed, unsure of what to do. I knew

ng, I undid

suddenly shoute

ing to help you!" I shot

. where..." His voice faded

signs of movement. There was nothing. My h

e damn ambulance," I muttered,

could help. I quickly unlocked his phone with his cold finger and fou