Hands reach out for me as I run down a dark, filthy alley.
“Rai…”
“Go, Rai.”
“Run! You have to go.”
My heart thumps louder at that voice. I know that voice.
That voice has been caught between my heart and my ribcage for as long as I can remember.
I’ve been missing that voice from my life, and it has finally returned.
Reina?
I STARTLE AWAKE, my chest constricting with a frightening force.
“Reina? Are you okay?”
I’m disoriented for a second. It’s like I’m still in that alley, battling against the invisible hands coming for me.
It takes me a few blinks to realize I’m home, lying on my bed. Izzy sits beside me, wiping sweat off my forehead.
The back of my throat feels dry and scratchy. “W-what happened?”
Her brows furrow with concern. “Aren’t you supposed to tell us that?”
My throat itches as I speak. “What do you mean?”
A look of sympathy covers her features. “Asher found you passed out in the locker room at school.”
Memories crush down on my brain. Asher and me in the showers. We agreed to meet outside then…then the lights went off. Something collided with my head and then everything went black.
“Did Asher see what happened?” I ask Izzy.
“I don’t think so. He did report it to the administration, though.”
Not that they’ll do anything. They found no footage the previous two times. This one won’t be any different.
My fingers tremble as I pull the sheet up to my chin. The back of my head hurts and something in my body feels sour and beaten up as if I’ve been running the entire day.
“Where…” I clear my throat from the onslaught of emotions. “Where’s Asher?”
“He just stepped out,” she says with a tight smile. “He’ll be right back.”
I try not to feel betrayed that he left me in this state, but an ominous feeling gnaws at my insides.
Something is wrong. Completely wrong.
“There you are.” Jason steps into the room, his brows scrunched.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” Izzy scolds.
“It’s fine,” I say as he sits on the side of my bed.
Jason is most likely Cloud003, but as I watch his eyes, I don’t think he’s my attacker.
“Jason!” Izzy hisses. “Stand up.”
“I was worried about you.” He ignores his mother, his features hardening. “This is getting serious.”
“Serious?” I repeat.
He exchanges looks with Izzy, as if getting her permission.
“Don’t you dare.” Izzy stands over us like the Grim Reaper, glaring down at her son.
“She deserves to know,” he says.
“It’s not our place to tell her,” she argues.
“I deserve to know what?” I stare between them.
Izzy shakes her head frantically.
“Tell me.” I pull on the sleeve of Jason’s hoodie.
He finally breaks eye contact with his mother and meets mine.
“This incident, the one from the classroom, and even the one on the rooftop were all…” He trails off.
“Were all what?” My voice is as haunted as I feel.
“They’re similar to things you dared others to do.”
“W-what?”
“I think someone is taking revenge on you, Reina. They’re making you pay for what you’ve done.”
I try to breathe, but I can’t. Liquid streams down my cheeks, and it’s then I realize it’s tears.
This…can’t be happening.
“It’s increasing in intensity,” Jason continues. “What if next time—”
Izzy swats him, cutting him off mid-sentence. Before I can urge him to keep going, Asher appears in the doorway.
He glares at how close Jason is sitting to me then narrows his eyes on the tears streaming down my cheeks.
“What are you doing here?” he asks Jason.
“I told him to stay.” I sniffle.
Izzy pulls her son by the arm and nods in Asher’s direction. “We were just leaving. Get better soon, Reina.”
The door closes behind them, leaving Asher and me alone.
He stays at the entrance, watching with a shuttered expression, his thick lashes fluttering down on darkened eyes.
Something in me lightens at seeing him. He’s always been there after every atrocity. He’s not a white knight per se –black knight is more fitting, but the fact that he’s always been there makes my heart race.
He finally strides toward me with both his hands shoved in his pockets. He’s changed into sweatpants and a simple white T-shirt that contrasts with his tanned skin and those veiny forearms.
He sits where Jason was and wipes a tear with the pad of his thumb.
“Why are you crying? What did Jason say?”
“He said someone is taking revenge on me. Is that true?”
His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t say anything to confirm or deny.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” My lower lip quivers.
His fist clenches, but he continues his silence.
My skin prickles with pent-up energy when he ignores me like this.
“What am I supposed to do now?” I murmur. “How am I supposed to ask for forgiveness or move forward if I don’t know who or what I’m up against?”
“I’m sure they’ll show themselves.” He wipes the rest of my tears with his thumb.
“What if they don’t?”
“You’re strong, prom queen. You’ve escaped them three times, haven’t you?”
“How long do you think I can stay strong? What if I’m weak inside?” I sniffle, meeting his gaze. “Would you let me lean on you?”
He pauses at my cheek before he resumes his ministrations. “Why would you want that?”
“I just want to, okay?” I reach over and wrap my arms around his waist, my head resting against his heartbeat. “Don’t push me away, Ash.”
He stiffens. “It’s Asher.”
“Whatever, Ash is better.” I tighten my hold around his narrow, sculpted waist. My nose nuzzles in his T-shirt and I breathe him in, his sandalwood scent and his warmth. I don’t want to be apart from him anymore. I don’t want to fight the feelings I’ve developed for him.
“You’re playing with fire, Reina,” he says lowly, almost apologetically.
“Then I’ll just burn.”
It takes him a few seconds before he wraps an arm around my back and pats my head with the other one.
He’s hugging me. Asher is hugging me.
He pulls me into him and lets me sleep in the curve of his body, my neck hidden in his neck and my legs nestled between his.
“Just sleep,” he murmurs against my head, planting a chaste kiss on top.
As I close my eyes, I know I’ll sleep the best I have in ages.
Because I finally feel like I belong.
