The Scars She Hid From The World

," she whispered

ts that had just abandoned her. A moment ago, she had been inside that bubble of warmth

amp groaned as they slid open. It was a sound like

illon did

nd and grit against her cheeks. Her skin felt too tight for her fa

ck as a tree stump, tossed a clear p

er name. She hadn't heard her name spoken wit

had stolen; it was something she had earned the right to keep through sheer, bloody-minded survival, a secret she had smuggle

ere stiff, calculated, like a machine that hadn't been o

ared on the horizon, cutting through t

xactly three

r, his eyes darting to her face for a split second before looking away.

ion with her body. Left foot, plant. Right foot, dra

thudded shut, sealing her in a vacu

was

camp's entire annual budget. He was typing on his phone, his b

tioned air. It made Clarisa's stomach turn. She wa

oked up. His eye

ed hoodie the camp had issued her upon release.

a silk handkerchief from his po

by the silk. "I thought you would have lea

re unfocused, looking at the partition bet

rst weapon she had

und was sharp in the quiet cabin. "Cat got your

. Her neck muscles felt like w

voice was raspy, u

pression hardened into a sneer. "For almost ruining Kalei

of a needle she hadn't asked for. She saw Kaleigh's

le smile touched the co

ebrate my return," she whispere

h his tie. He interpreted her deadness as arrogance

e interco

e car,"

body flew forward. Her chest slam

deep, agonizing bruise there, layered over ribs that had cracked months ag

inted at

d. "Maybe the rain will wash the stink off you. Think

lack. A storm was coming. They were miles from the estate, on a

beg. She

't even

he door open. The wind howled, rushing into

er to grab his arm, to plead, to be the

out. Her sneaker

ed the do

t a second before the engine roared. It peeled away, tires screeching, kicking up a cloud of dust th

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