pped shaking

me even as my vision blurs. My tears have soaked the edges of the p

e mo

s to pay back the money

g up my throat. The dimly lit room around me suddenly f

d marble floor. My legs are weak, but I force them

t stay

e kind of reinforced steel. There's no handle on my

my hair as I try to think. There has to b

ute. The windows are too high up, the glass too thick to bre

n settles over me like a c

tra

gainst the bed frame. My hands grip my

not ha

, those piercing grey eyes, the cruel smirk cu

nd Si

couldn't sleep. I can't escape the thought of what's happening to me. I can feel it, creeping into every corner of my mind

u with dread. I can hear nothing, not even the soft hum of the night, and it mak

do this

hem to decide what to do with m

or with a sharp jolt. My heart pounds in my chest as I sta

, my eyes locki

n me and freedom. I drop to my knees,

nder my breath, not sure if I'm ta

s carefully, then clasp my hands toget

catches me off guard, and I blink

as easier th

ay smells faintly of wood polish and something more siniste

to ge

, winding through rooms I've never seen. But I know

ing. I don't even know if I'll make it, but I can't just wait h

low down. I'm terrified that if I stop, I'll lose my chance. The stairs to t

n I hea

low and conspiratorial. I freeze

ng my breath. I don't move. I can hear the faint

m says. "The new girl? She's

talking about me, of course they are. To

r one adds, her voice dripping with venom. "She's just

rge of anger that rises in my thro

. I can't let them see me. I hold

ternity, their voices fade

he polished floor. I feel the exit growing closer, my skin prickli

reaches for the doo

shift of move

my heart lurc

ou could get a

ing my wrist with a brutal force that makes me

ut, my voice tremblin

the door. I kick and struggle, my heart pounding in my throat, but it'

ks as panic sets in. My whole body s

I can hear my own breath harsh a

ry to fight back, but the more I struggle,

deliberate echoing down the corridor. My heart sin

I hea

vo

ym

run?" He sneers, his to

ness crashes over me, pulling