My Ninth Life: Breaking Free

skull. Stars burst

with rage, was the last thin

piece of tra

eling by my bed, stroking my forehead when I had a fever. "You'

my

was a fresh w

by my hair, across the manicure

she decreed, her voice ringing with authority. "No f

spair settled deep. I just wanted

pain and thirst. The gravel bit

ong-time friend of the Hawthornes, and, more importantly, he had been close to my parents. His annual v

g in concern. Caroline, flustered, ordered t

he kitchen, where I was trying

she done to you?" he

what was the point? It would only make things worse f

h. I was clumsy," I mum

d have done more, years ago. After your pare

er that not everyone saw me as worthless

er, my resolve suddenly hardening. "I need t

ered within me. This was a t

chen, Derek on her arm. They were dres

"Derek and I have the most wonderful news!" She held up her h

got the cream. Caroline was the most daz

nt face to my bruised one. He nodded sl

Derek had left for the g

ncerned." He paused. "I can arrange for your departure. Funds, a place to stay, perhaps that design school in California I mention

it brought tears to my eyes. "Yes

ystem still claimed me in the end, thes

VER" in the night sky. It was a public spectacle celebrating the