Page 125 of Dare To Break

“Yeah, I’ve stashed them in the restroom for later, when people are distracted.” He moves to stand beside me. “Still not coming tonight?”

I’m shaking my head before he’s finished asking. “I have to spend all day with these people. Why the fuck would I choose to spend my free time with them? I’ll work on my sculpture, then head back to our room. I’m not in the mood to party.”

He pats my shoulder. He knows why I don’t want to party, just like I know why he does. It’s both our ways of dealing with what happened a year ago. I take a step back.

“Okay, I’m out of here.”

I spend the evening locked away with my art project. I can hear the music from the party, the laughter and shrieks as people scare each other. I’m not remotely tempted to join them. The off feeling from earlier has returned, and I can’t even escape for a drive. The main gates are locked, and students aren’t allowed off the grounds once the sun has set. But I’m finding it hard to concentrate, and I don’t want to fuck up and ruin the marble piece I’m working on, so I snatch up my hoodie, a bottle of vodka, and step outside.

I’ll take a walk. The woods should still be quiet, aside from the main path that’s been laid out. If I stick to the shadows, I should be left alone.

Chapter 79

Arabella

I backtrack along the path toward the school, but the sound of a twig snapping up ahead stops me. My breath hitches in my throat. Cautiously I study the darkness beyond the lights of jack-o’-lanterns watching for any signs of movement.

It’s just someone trying to spook me. I shouldn’t have come up here alone.

A long, sharp whistle sounds to my left.

I turn on my heels, and sprint back through the woods toward the bench. The path loops the cemetery before going back toward the school. If I keep ahead, I can outrun them.

What if they aren’t alone?

The thought of someone else waiting for me on the other side has dread expanding through me. When the bench comes into view, I veer off and rush through the arched gates of the cemetery. Breathing ragged, I weave my way through the gravestones, but when I reach the tomb, it’s padlocked.

Fuck.

I duck down behind one of the nearest headstones. Lanterns have been dotted throughout the hallowed site, giving the whole area a mysterious, eerie glow.

My hands shake as I screw my eyes closed and will my breathing to steady.

Did they see me? Maybe it’s just Jace and Evan trying to freak me out?

What if it’s my darer? He said he was going to punish me for not responding. No, he would have left a message in my locker since I’m not looking at the texts.

Footsteps pound along the ground, slowing down as they reach the gate.

“Did you see her?” A voice I recognize asks. Garrett, one of the jocks I don’t know so well.

“No.” A second one replies.

“Shit.”

“Maybe she cut through the trees?”

“Damn it,” Garrett growls. “I wanted to see what she was wearing under that skirt. She’s been asking for it all evening in that tight little dress. Miles is one lucky bastard, but five minutes with me, and she’d drop him in a heartbeat.”

The second voice laughs. “I think she’s hot for Jace. At least that’s what I heard.”

A spark of recognition unfurls.

Kevin from the swim team?

Hugging my knees, I bite the inside of my cheek so hard it hurts.

“You’re drunk. The ghost walk will be starting soon,” Kevin tells his friend. “We should head back.”

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