Page 123 of Dare To Break

A sense of claustrophobia cocoons me.

I need air.

The onset of a panic attack is quick and unexpected. I rush through the bodies filling the hall, aiming for the exit.

I burst out through the main door, and gulp in a lung full of fresh air. I can’t shake the feeling of being caged in. Feet moving, I don’t stop until I’m halfway across the campus.

My heart slows, but the lingering tendrils of agitation continue to cling to me.

I need to clear my head.

The candlelight of the jack-o-lanterns marking the entrance to the ghost walk through the cemetery beckons to me. It’s not supposed to start for another hour. I make my way toward the trees and come to a stop where their light bathes everything around them in a golden hue.

I haven’t been back in the woods since my accident. Wrapping my arms around my waist, I stare along the lit trail, the lanterns making a path on either side.

I take a slow step forward. Then another, and another, until I’m walking through the trees. I’m shrouded in apprehension, but there’s a strange sense of comfort being here. It’s quiet. Somewhere I can leave the world behind, and my life isn’t the mess it’s turned into.

When I reach the familiar bench, I stop and glance toward the cemetery entrance.

This is where Zoey died.

Coming out here to do the dares.

What was she like? Had she been scared out here in the dark? What really happened to her?

My heart aches for the girl who lost her life among the graves.

Had she really fitted in? Will anyone ever know what happened to her?

The hairs on the back of my neck tingle in a warning. I shift from foot to foot, and dart a look back along the lit path.

“Who’s there? Miles?”

Silence.

Uneasiness creeps through me. “If that’s you, Jace, this isn’t funny.”

I wait for a second or two, but no one comes forward, and I don’t hear anything else. But my comfort has been shattered, so I turn and make my way back toward the school.

Chapter 78

Eli

The morning of Halloween is crisp and cool, but dry. I haven’t been sleeping well since visiting Zoey’s grave, and I skip breakfast in favor of staying in bed. I don’t want to be around people. I feel off, on edge. Like I’m waiting for something to happen.

Kellan, on the other hand, is hyper as fuck. I know it’s his way of dealing with today. There is no way he is going to be anything other than over the top. But I’m not ready to deal with that yet. I need to sort out my head first; otherwise, we might have another murder, and this year it really will be blood on my hands.

I finally drag my ass out of bed when my nine-thirty alarm goes off, take a quick shower, dress, and grab my car keys. I’ll take a drive, try and clear my head and avoid all the fucking craziness that’s happening on the campus today.

The hallway outside my room is full of people. Some are already dressed up and running around, making ridiculous noises, or shuffling like zombies. I pull my hood up, turn up the music in my ears and tune them all out as I walk through.

Thankfully, no one tries to stop me, and I make it out of the building in record time. I head straight to my car, toss my earbuds and cell phone onto the passenger seat, and start the engine.

I tear down the road and through the gates, window down and ‘XanaX’ by Badflower blaring from the stereo. I know people see me because there’s a cluster of students near the gates. I think I spot some of the jocks mixed in, but I don’t pay close enough attention to know for sure.

I have no end destination in mind, but the simple monotony of driving along the road and taking random turns does the trick and my body and mind slowly starts to relax. When I reach Cape May, I park the car and climb out, sucking in a breath of sea air.

My mom loved the sea, and whenever I was feeling overwhelmed or upset as a kid, it was where she would bring me. Not this particular beach, but the location doesn’t matter. The smells and sounds are enough. I don’t even know why I’m so wound up today, but my nerves feel raw. I’m sure part of it is due to Zoey and what happened to her a year ago.

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