fists connecting to the stranger’s body. I try to grab his mask, to pull it away and reveal who’s determined to hurt me.
He’s far stronger than me, hoisting me up and over his shoulder. I kick and flail until my body slips. One good strike gets me dropped in the dirt alley between two buildings.
My assailant kicks me in the ribs. Instincts have me balling up, folding into myself as my only means of protection.
“HEY!” The authoritative yell causes the man hellbent on hurting me to pause before lifting his boot and slamming it into my ribs again. The sounds of struggle reach me, but damn if I’m checking.
“Not so tough anymore, are you, asshole?”
I roll onto my back, the immense pain in my ribs a good reminder of how bad this could have ended. Pain blurs my vision, and when a fuzzy face appears in front of me, I scream until I gain focus.
“I didn’t know it was you,” Dixon says, offering me his hand.
“And if you did, what?” When he yanks me to my feet, pain rips through my ribs. One of them has to be broken. “You honestly would’ve let him do what he wanted with me?”
“I may have let him get a couple extra kicks in.” He grins like he’s actually proud of himself.
“Fucking asshole,” I whisper and shake my head, lifting my shirt to inspect the damage. A large bruise covers my right side. Steel-toed boots will do that. “What have I ever done to you?”
“You’re clouding his mind, and when Marek sets his eyes on something, he doesn’t stop. So do us all a favor and don’t play into his game. You both will be better off for it.”
“Is this some sort of warning?” I hiss.
“It’s like you get off on him being cruel to you.” He circles on me so quick I have no time to prepare myself for his chest to bump against mine. “You’re not meant to enjoy his punishments, and yet, every chance you get, you step in front of him like a platter of the most decadent desserts. You need to learn our boy has a sweet tooth.”
Dixon turns his back and walks away, not asking if I’m okay or if I need help. This doesn’t surprise me. His eyes are dead. He worries only about those he deems worthy, and I’m not high on that list, if I’m on it at all.
I pull out my phone and limp through campus. Delaney doesn’t answer my call. She’d come running if she did. When I can’t take the pain any longer, I dial another number, one I haven’t used since I found Reed’s apartment covered in blood.
“Glass Heart Academy security, how can I help you?” The soft voice is like music to my ears.
“I’ve been attacked,” I say.
“Ma’am, did I hear you correctly, you’ve been attacked?” The operator repeats my words to me.
“I’m at the steps in front of the administration building.” I rub my thumb over my lip and pull it back to find blood spread across it. “I may have some broken ribs and a busted lip. Could you please send someone?”
“Of course.” Her voice is tender and thoughtful. “May I ask who I’m speaking to?”
“Palmer Weston. I’m a student in the senior class.”
Her quiet gasp tells me she knows who I am. I don’t know why I’m surprised campus security recognizes me as Reed’s sister. Our name is known outside of campus. Georgina’s death has brought back talk of the other cases. Everyone in town has heard the stories, seen the reports. Old blips of my parents offering cash to anyone who has information regarding my sister have been replayed again and again.
“Yes, of course. Miss Weston, if you’d like, I can stay on the phone with you.”
At her kindness, the dam breaks, and tears stream down my cheeks. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
On the steps of the dean’s office building, I cry with a complete stranger listening in on my worst hell.
My attacker’s voice haunts my thoughts. You’ll do just fine. What does that mean? For the first two years at Glass Heart, I felt safe and untouched. This last year has proven how naïve that idea is. Darkness seems to loom over our campus, a secret closing in the walls on us.
How else would the disappearance of girls on campus be explained? Georgina Matthews’ body, mangled and bloody in the forest. Sarah. Jessica. Molly. My sister all but vanished, leaving nothing but her DNA covering