I clamber out of bed, pissed off that my body is moving so slow. I will not go through this again. I let my guard down, I should have been ready, just like I’ve always been before, just like I’ve trained myself to be.
I move back toward my bedroom door and unlock it, ready to make a run for it if need be. What was I thinking of coming here? Blake and I should have just stayed on our own. There are only a few months before my eighteenth birthday. We could have made it on our own. Why did I have to bring this mess to Shay and Ben’s door?
The light flickers as the person fumbles to open the window. They’re going to have a hell of a time getting in since I locked that fucker.
I flick the blade out and indulge in the feeling of power that comes with having this weapon securely in the palm of my hand. I’ve dreamed of this moment despite the fear that comes with it. I’ve imagined what I would do, how I would react…how damn good it would feel to finally get the upper hand.
The window rattles and I swallow back fear. I will not be afraid. I will not go back to that place that holds all my nightmares. He can’t make me.
The light flickers around, goes dark and comes back into view. Knuckles rap against the glass and I take a step forward, preparing myself. “Hey, open up,” comes a feminine voice, muffled by the closed window. There’s a strange familiarity that has my brows drawing down in confusion. “How are all the devilish boys supposed to sneak in here and do naughty things to you all night long if you’ve got the freaking window locked?”
The fuck?
“Maze?” I call out, refusing to let up on my pocketknife.
The light moves around and a second later I see Maze’s grinning face lit up but the angle she holds the light from has her covered in shadows and looking more like a scene from a horror movie than the too chatty girl from school.
“Who the fuck else would it be?” she demands, turning the light back to the window and searching me out. “Wait…is that a fucking knife in your hand? Shit, I underestimated you. I took you for more of a talker than an action girl. What were you planning on doing with that thing anyway? Actually, open the fucking window first and then you can explain yourself.”
I snap back to reality. “What?” I grunt, slipping the blade away tossing it to the bed. After turning on the light, I stride forward and go about unlocking the window. “Explain myself? How about you? You’re the one showing up at my window in the middle of the night.””
I get the window unlocked and slide it up, cringing at the way the old frame squeals in protest. Maze climbs through the open window, groaning and grunting with every movement. “Hey, I’m the good guy here, and for the record. It’s not the middle of the night. It’s barely even 10 pm,” she says once she’s safely on her feet, instantly looking around my empty room. “I came to break you out of this hell hole.”
I cross my arms and raise a questioning brow. “How did you know where I live?”
“How else?” she grumbles, walking around my room and picking up one of my shirts. She holds it against herself, checking her reflection in my mirror and clearly liking what she sees. “I stole your file from the school office.”
I instantly go on high alert and as if sensing my unease, she continues on. “Chill out, would you?” Maze grumbles as she peels off her shirt and replaces it with mine. “I may be nosey, but I know a thing or two about respecting one’s privacy. I looked up your address and that’s it. Though, I can’t say that I’m not curious. That file was fucking thick. You must have gotten yourself into all sorts of shit before winding up here.”
Relief rushes through me though I’m not quite sure I believe her. She’s been great so far but what kind of person doesn’t peek at the new girl’s file given the chance? But then, she’s not looking at me with pity, disgust or sadness so maybe she’s telling the truth.
I walk around to my bed and slide the pocketknife back under my pillow. “So, what are you actually doing here?”
“I told you; I’m breaking you out of here.”
“And taking me where?”
“Wherever you want.”
I let out a sigh and consider it a moment. It’s not like I was going to get any sleep after the fear she invoked inside of me earlier. “You better make it worth my while,” I tell her, grabbing one of the only shirts left in my closet and peeling out of my pajamas.