Page 151 of Crew
"Troubled students."
The flicker burst into a full-fledged fire. It was heating me up. I knew who they meant--kids like me, who had violent tendencies, who had no futures, who were going nowhere in life. Prison or six feet under. Those kids.
"That's who you think joins crews?" I asked. "Those kind of kids."
"Well, yeah." The principal gave me a blank look. He had no idea how wrong that statement was.
"I see."
The firefly returned. She flew in, bringing the darkness with her. I felt it rising, coating my insides, blanketing me. It molded with the fire. I closed my eyes a moment, letting her take over. Once she had, I couldn't be touched. They couldn't hurt me anymore.
I stood and began to leave.
"Bren."
I didn't know which one spoke. I didn't care.
I reached for the door handle, and I left.
I didn't turn back.
The bell must've rung. A line of students started to leave their classrooms.
"Bren?"
I walked right past Taz, then Tabatha and the others as they left their room. Students slowed, casting me looks of confusion, of irritation, of concern.
I ignored every single one.
I went to my locker. I got my bag and keys, and I left. I was in the parking lot when Cross shouted my name, hurrying behind me.
I didn't want to see him. He'd try to shake her hold on me. She protected me. He just wanted me to be open to more pain. I couldn't.
I held up a hand. "Don't, Cross. Not this time."
He caught up to me. "What happened?"
I kept walking. I had ten feet to go. Only ten. It seemed the length of a football field.
"Bren! Hey!"
That was Jordan. I had no doubt Zellman was with him. My crew had come for me, but I couldn't this time. They couldn't protect me from this like the darkness did. The darkness, that firefly, had another name, one I'd put out of my mind.
Things were better. Channing was acting like a real brother. He loved me.
My crew was with me. I was with Cross.
I should've been happy. I shouldn't have any need for her, but her hold was so strong. Her hooks were in, and they weren't letting go, not until it was safe again to come out. I opened the door of my Jeep and got inside.
"Bren, stop!"
Cross blocked me from shutting the door.
Jordan and Zellman stood behind him. But I only shoved him back and shut the door. I put my keys into the ignition. I turned. The engine came on, and I put it in reverse.
The passenger door opened.
"Get out!" I yelled.
