Page 11 of Made of Steel (Made of Steel 1)

"You're a bright girl. Convince yourself that this is real." He tapped the folder in front of me. "We're asking you to blend in, but that doesn't mean you can't form relationships. You just have to form them around Sadie Davis. Not Summer Brooks."

I gave him a small smile.

"You get to find yourself here. Just don't forget to blend in while you do that." He grabbed the folder in front of me and tucked it into his briefcase. "Your suitcases are packed with new clothes. But try to keep your neck covered until the bruises go away. You don't want people asking any questions and drawing unwanted attention."

I put my hand on the side of my neck. He didn't need to tell me that. I was already wearing a hoodie even though it was 90 degrees in the city today. I was used to making sure no one had a reason to ask me questions.

"And if you need anything else, we transferred your money into a bank account under your new name. All the information for that is also in your suitcases. With the money that..."

"Thanks," I said, cutting him off. I felt guilty enough for getting handouts from the state. I didn't need him to tell me that I only had about a hundred dollars in my savings account. It wouldn't even be enough for the school books I needed. One of the first things I was going to do was get a job.

"Is there anything else you need to give me before I head out? Anything at all that would jeopardize the secrecy of your new identity?"

I thought about the arrow keychain I had hidden in my pocket. I had already handed over everything that belonged to me. Every memory I had of my old life. I needed this one thing. For some reason, it still meant the world to me, even though the boy that gave it to me meant nothing. It reminded me of home. It reminded me of being carefree. It reminded me of everything I lost. "No, there's nothing else."

He nodded. "I'll be reaching out to you as soon as the bail hearing takes place. But I have it under good authority that Roberts will be staying behind bars for a long time."

God, I hoped that was true. "Do you know when the trial will be?"

"One day at a time. We have to get through the bail hearing first." He glanced at his watch. "Check-in ends in about thirty minutes. I should leave you to it."

I nodded and stared into the coffee mug that I hadn't touched. I didn't even like coffee. Was I supposed to now?

"Well, good luck, Sadie. You have my number if you need to reach me. Don't be late for check-in."

"Right. I don't want to draw attention to myself."

"Exactly." He hesitated once he stood up. "And remember to smile, Sadie. This is going to be a good thing, I promise. If everything goes well, you won't be seeing me ever again."

"Thanks for all your help, Mr. Crawford."

He nodded and disappeared out the door of the coffee shop.

If everything went well, I'd never be Summer Brooks again. That may have sounded good to him. But it didn't sound good to me.

Chapter 10

Saturday

I stepped up onto the sidewalk in front of my dorm building. Even though there were tons of people around me, I felt alone. Never again would anyone truly know who I was. But maybe that was for the best. Maybe Summer Brooks needed to disappear. What was left of her anyway? Pain? Scars?

Yet another person bumped into me without an apology. I pulled my suitcases closer to my sides. I would have chosen absolutely anywhere else for college. But I hadn't gotten to make a single decision about my life since my parents had died. Just like everything else, I was forced to go here. It could have been worse, though. Mr. Crawford had said I was free to do whatever I wanted, free to be whoever I wanted, as long as I blended in. And I wanted to be different. I wanted to be brave and strong.

"Hey, do you need help with that?" a man in a bright yellow shirt asked me.

I shook my head and gripped the handles even tighter in my hand. Even though I had no idea what was inside, everything I owned was in these suitcases. I wasn't brave. I wasn't strong.

He pointed to his shirt. "I'm helping with move in. I can get that if..."

"I don't need any help."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself. Are you in Dorm B?" He gestured to the tall building in front of me.

I nodded.

"Check-in is on the first floor in the common room. Just go through the main doors and head left. There's a freshmen welcome shindig on the Green tonight. Make sure to come, it's going to be a blast." He left to go help someone else.

I exhaled slowly. He wasn't trying to mug me. He was just being nice. I glanced around at all the people once more. No one knew me here. It was a fact. Or else I would have been sent somewhere else. This was a new beginning. I can do this.

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