Page 33 of Left in the Dark

She wrapped me in her arms, squeezing me tight. I hugged her back, feeling less alone for the first time in years.

Finally, the secrets destroying me have come to light.

CHAPTER 22

Delaney

Dread courses through me as I drag myself toward the doors of Green Haven Academy on Monday morning.

With my head lowered and my arms crossed over my chest, I walked across the far end of the parking lot where I had my mom drop me off. I’m still pissed at her, and the silence stretching between us feels as though we’re oceans apart. I’m unsure if we can ever bridge the distance between us.

Avoiding eye contact with everyone I pass, my aching heart feels like it’s being twisted in a vice. There’s no one else I want to see except Zayne, but I don’t know if he ever wants to see my face again.

I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t.

Even though everything hurts, I’m running on adrenaline and determination.If I can make it through this week, I can find a job. Maybe Callie’s mom will let me stay with them while I save money for an apartment.I stole fifty bucks from my mom’s purse, hidden in my backpack. That won’t get me far.

I can’t live in that house of horrors any longer. I’ve stayed, trying to save my mom, but the only thing I’ve learned this weekend is that I can only save myself.

“Hey.” Callie’s voice scares me, causing me to jump. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you. Did you get back inside without anyone knowing?”

“Yes. It was scary climbing on the porch roof, but I made it. I turned the alarm on and went to bed. I couldn’t fall asleep through.”

“No wonder.” Callie grabs my hand and squeezes it as we walk toward the school.

“I’m so nervous.” My other hand rubs over my stomach. My gaze searches the parking lot again, but I don’t see Zayne’s truck anywhere.

Callie’s eyes dart around, her neck craning to ensure we’re alone. “If you’re looking for Zayne, he won’t be here. I hear through the rumor mill that he may not return.”

My heart sinks. I hoped I could beg him to listen to me. I know I can’t keep hiding these secrets any longer. The silence where it thrived, infesting me like a weed, is poisoning my body and slowly killing me.

Callie grabs my arm, her gaze darting around before she pulls me over to one of the large maple trees. “I got you something. I went to Walmart after I dropped you off.” She shoves something inside my hand.

When I look down, I see a cell phone.

“It’s a burner phone. You know, a prepaid one.”

I gasp, my eyes filling with grateful tears. My father still hasn’t returned my phone and likely won’t.

“You can text Zayne, and no one will know.”

I wrap my arms around her, hugging her tight, even though it hurts. My body is still covered in bruises from the vicious attacks on me Friday night. I had to use a ton of concealer to hide the marks on my face.

Pulling back, panic engulfs me. “What am I supposed to say? I can’t tell him…” A giant lump is in my throat, preventingme from speaking. “I can’t tell him I’ve been abused via a text message,” I whisper.

“Do you know his number?”

“Yeah, I memorized it.”

She pats my hand. “You’ll know what to say. The words will come to you.”

“I hope.”

She gives me a quick hug. “All you can do is try.” Pulling back, she tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’ll work out, sweetie.”

I siton the closed lid of the toilet inside the girl’s bathroom, staring at Zayne’s contact information that I entered into the burner phone. His number and Callie’s are the only two in there. Anxiety courses through me as I type out a message.

I read it once more before I hit the send button, feverishly praying to every God in the sky that he’ll read it and give me a chance to explain myself.

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