Page 29 of Lost in Life

Lester made our list after he got a little too handsy with me on the one date we went on. Just because I agreed to meet up after connecting on one of the many dating apps I’m on doesn’t give the prick permission to grope me. Sure, I use the apps to find guys to steal from, but that’s beside the point.

Lester’s smile grows wider. Running his hand down my arm, he leans over to whisper in my ear. “And what’s your name, sweetheart?”

Bastard doesn’t even remember me.

Plastering a sweet smile on my face, I blink up at him. “Max.” I lie, my lips twitching. West and I agreed when we started this game we would use fake names, because you never know who might make a connection with the young person talking to them and their sudden lack of, well, everything we could get our hands on.

“Well, Max. How about we get out of here?” Lester drawls, his eyes dragging down my body.

I nod, climbing out of the seat. My eyes meet West’s, a genuine smile crossing my face as I watch him slip out of the booth next to us. Turning back toward Lester, I beckon for him to follow me. We make it nearly halfway toward the exit before West gives me the signal.

Releasing a relieved breath, I halt my steps. “Oh, I’ve got to use the restroom.” Before Lester can respond, I disappear into the crowd and out the back door, giggling when I see West waiting for me.

Holding up the fat leather wallet he procured from Lester’s pocket, he smirks. “How bout itMax, wanna get out of here?” He snickers, holding his arm out for me.

I slip my arm through his, my laughter echoing in the dark alley. “Oh fuck yeah.”

The memory fades, reality coming back in slowly as I blink open my eyes. Even though it was only five years ago, it feels like a lifetime has passed since that night. I sigh, yearning for our simple life again. One where the most concerning thing was our miniature heists. Before Mona died and a sadistic man attempted to murder my friend.

Before I can wallow too deeply in my little pity party, I catch the man push away from his table. Straightening, I lean toward West. “He’s leaving.” I mutter.

West glances at him and back at me. “We need to follow him.”

My heart hammers in my chest. I want, no Ineed, revenge for what happened to Hollis, but I’m also terrified. We’ve done a lot of illegal shit in our short lives, but this? This is crossing a line I never thought I would.

“Are you sure it’s him?” I ask, spinning the paper cup in my hand.

West covers my hand with his, drawing my attention up to him. “Yes.” He assures me, stroking his thumb along the back of my hand. “It’s him. Carver Hayes.”

I nod, slowly blowing out my breath. “Okay, let’s go then.” Standing up, I wait for West to lead the way out of the crowded shop. My pulse quickens as each step brings us closer.

Time for Carver to get a taste of his own medicine.

Zayn

You havegotto be fucking kidding me.

I watch with an equal mixture of shock and anger as Carver exits the small coffee shop, followed by my magenta haired distraction from the hospital and another kid around her age.

Why is she here?

A sickening feeling forms in my gut, and I’m on my feet and following before I’ve fully thought it through. I shouldn’t be doing anything that might expose me, especially not while there is an actual overthrowing of our society happening, and I’ve just barely survived the chaos as it is. But I can’t let anything happen to her.

Not again.

My heart rate increases as images of the girl’s body in a bloody, disfigured heap flash through my mind. I speed up my steps, nearly running into several patrons in my hurry to catch up. Rushing out the exit, my head whips back and forth as I try to find where they went.

I catch a glimpse of bright colored hair and take off in a sprint, silently begging whoever will listen that I make it in time.

Please. Not again.

West

My phone buzzes in my pocket. Now is not the time for Rex to be demandingpaymentfor holding up his end of the bargain. I’ve been lucky so far that I haven’t had to fulfill my part, but I know that window is closing. And quickly.

I follow closely behind Nova, trying desperately to keep my focus on the task at hand.

I can’t let them down again.

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