Page 65 of Hidden Echoes

I see the fear. The regret.

My chest tightens. My stomach twists. Breathing suddenly feels impossible.

Carter’s words burn in my mind.

“Zane,” my voice wavers, and I don’t even know why. “Is it true? Everything he said? Did you stay with me out of pity?”

Zane opens his mouth, but no words come.

I let out a hollow laugh. “Funny, isn’t it? Because I really thought… I really thought…”

He steps forward. “Mia, please—”

“No.” I cut him off. I don’t want to hear it.

I turn to Carter. He’s smiling.

I lower the knife. Take a step back.

And before Zane can say anything, before the words can tear me apart, I walk out the door.

I’m going to Andi’s bonfire.

I can’t stay here.

CHAPTER 16

MIA

The location of Andi's bonfire was about a twenty-minutewalk away. And I decided to take advantage of it to think a little.

“You know you became a product of what the Master created you for,” Pinocchio says, and I snort.

“Shut up, Pinocchio.”

“Real people don't get married drunk in Los Angeles.”

“Oh, don't listen to him, Mia, they even make movies about it,” Bubbles, the cute Powerpuff Girl, interjects, and I can't help but smile. I'm always happy when she comes to visit me.

“That's because it's fiction, completely non-existent. How do you expect her to learn to live in society if you keep patting her on the head?”

“Okay, I learned my lesson,” I snort. “Zane and I didn't do anything wrong. And I already said I'm going to sign the annulment papers.”

“But you're all sad and upset about it.”

“Hey, I have a right to be sad,” I reply, and Pinocchio rolls his eyes.

“Sadness is for idiots. You don’t have time for this, you need to protect yourself.”

“You’re an idiot,” Bubbles says in her thin voice, and I laugh.

“Um, are you okay?” The girl from before, the one with the grimace, catches my attention, and I smile, not really wanting to explain that I was having a conversation with characters that probably only exist in my head.

“Yes,” I answer, and she puts her hand on her head as if she’s trying to find the words.

“Sorry about before,” she whispers, and my smile widens at the awkward way she tries to say the words. As if she’s not used to it. “I’m not really used to strangers, but it was totally rude of me to act like that with you.”

“It’s okay, I understand,” I say, taking a step forward and hugging her tightly.

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