Page 187 of Hunting Pretty

I wasn’t thinking straight. I drove home from campuswith blood all over me. For the grace of God, no one had seen me or, worse, pulled me over.

And I was about to leave my fucking house forever with blood all over me.

I dropped the pair of jeans in my hand and stumbled to the bathroom, fighting back nausea.

I dropped to the toilet bowl and threw up, the sour stomach acid burning my throat, my fingers gripping the cold bowl.

I stripped, my limbs numb, my hands shaking, dropping my bloody clothes into a pile. I’d have to burn them.

God, no time to burn them.

I’d have to take them with us and we’d have to burn them later.

I couldn’t leave them for Ebony to find. She’d think the worst with me gone.

I pressed my forehead on the cool marble wall tiles as the shower water ran over my body. I shivered even though the water was hot.

Dr. Vale killed Liath.

He had abused Liath and she was starting to remember and he killed her to shut her up.

I hoped they hanged him for it.

Even though it was all over… something deep down inside me felt… unsettled.

I scrubbed my body with my loofah and way too much soap. But it felt like Dr. Vale’s blood had sunk into my skin, tainting my bones, staining my soul.

I stumbled out of the shower, rubbing my pink skin with the thickest towel I could find.

My gaze stopped on my pills—the memory suppressors—on my bathroom counter and I froze, my hand against my damp hair.

A coil of dread settled in my belly.

It might be over, but it wasn’t over.

The minute I stopped taking them, my memories would come back.

Fuck. Was I ready for that?

I grabbed the bottle and threw it into my backpack before I finished getting ready.

I know Scáth told me not to, but I just couldn’t leave without a word.

Dear Ebony,

I’ve got to go away for a while. But know that I’m fine.

I…

I paused, my pen hovering over the words that I wanted to write but just couldn’t—I love you.

A wave of sadness washed over me. I would never see Ebony again. We’d never have the kind of mother-daughter relationship that I always wanted.

I lowered my pen again and finished my note.

…I’ll miss you.

Avax

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