Page 51 of Rear View
The driver took off, the vehicle jerking as the wheelsfought to catch on the icy road. Half of the worn, blue cushioned seats were taken, so I shuffled farther back and gripped one of the hanging rings to steady myself. My body shrank in on itself, small. Insignificant.
My phone pinged and my heart fluttered against my ribs. Hope had me holding my breath as I tapped the screen and opened it.
No text appeared, and for the umpteenth time in as many days, my shoulders slumped. I selected my email and stopped dead. My hand shook when an unknown sender showed in my inbox. I snapped my head up, then around. I scanned every person there…for what, I had no clue. Someone sinister? As if their face could give them away. Buthewas exactly that. Faceless. Anonymous. Anyone.
My palms were slick with sweat when I opened the message.
Unknown sender:
You’ve been busy lately, Ryah Jane.
Always a reminder.Alwayswatching. How did you stop a shadow? Or escape it? He was everywhere, and everyone.
The bus banged and jolted when it hit a pothole. My adrenaline spiked, kicking into overdrive, while my heart pounded in my ears.
Oh, God. Not now.
I fought to control my breathing. I darted my gaze around. My stop was close. Only three blocks. I started counting in my head, fighting not to rock and draw attention to myself.
Abingsounded when someone pulled the cable, requesting to get off. The driver veered us to the side, and the passenger hopped free.
Two blocks.
My vision started to narrow, blackening at the corners.
One block.
My hand trembled wildly as I pressed for my stop. I fought to keep my feet when I aimed for the front of the bus. The door swung open achingly slow. When there was just enough room, I exploded out and ran.
My building loomed in the distance, the only thing I could see.
Scrambling for my keys, I reached it, then tripped. I fell and hit my knee, wincing as I pulled myself up. It took three tries to enter the security code and lurch into the lobby, where I hobbled up each step until I made it to the second floor.
The ringing in my ears grew louder, making my breaths muffled. The numbness spread from my fingers to my hands, the tightness in my chest making it impossible to breathe.
Just get inside. Just get inside!
My keys rattled when I shoved them into the lock and snapped it open. Bursting through the door, I sealed myself in with a bang, turned the dead bolt and set the chain.
The place was dark, the kitchen light off. I must’ve forgotten it before I’d left.How had I forgotten?
I wouldn’t turn it on. Couldn’t. ’Cause what ifhewas outside, waiting to see which apartment lit up? Then he’d know where I lived. Chances were, he already did, but just in case…
Crashing back against the wall, I slid to the floor. I dropped my head, plunging my fingers into my hair as I pulled. Hugging my knees to my chest, I set my mouthagainst them to muffle my sound, then sat alone in the dark as I screamed. Not enough to draw attention. Because no one was ever coming to save me.
I hated this. Being around Xavier had given me a taste of living again. I wanted it back. In the end, maybe him flaking was for the best. Better to learn who he really was before I gave in to him completely. His life was on the upswing, while mine… I was trapped. I wasn’t going anywhere.
Slamming a fist onto the floor, I screamed again. Tears streamed down my face. I could barely leave my apartment without the panic consuming me. My life was a mirror maze of fear while Xavier’s was unequivocally fearless. I’d been an idiot to let myself hope. Either way, it wasn’t as if my life was my own.
I pulled my notebook and pen from my backpack and sagged until I fell to the side. My shoulder found the cold parquet floor, and I gave in to that fear.
Chapter Thirteen
Xavier
Fuck. Fuck.Fuck!
It’d been three days since we’d left Edgewater. And three goddamn days since Yara destroyed my phone after she knocked it outta my hand when I wasmid-textto my dream girl. Christ only knew what Ryah thought. Probably that I was some easily distracted asshole who only cared about a woman when she was in front of me…orthewoman in front of me.
