Chosen to Carry

hiding, Spencer. I'm done running. I want to go home, and I wan

u don't understand how dangerous Ivy is. She won't sto

his. I can't live my life in fear or behind walls of guar

ions clashing with his growing feelings for her. He wanted

me you'll be careful. Call me if anythin

aya replied, v

hues over the worn wooden floors. She ran her hand over the old armchair by the window - the same

time in weeks,

organizing shelves, even mopping floors became a way to clear her mind and keep her spirits up.

e kitchen counter. Maya wiped h

voice came through. Ruby had bee

e you?" Maya smile

life, the house, and how she was coping. Maya shared a

Ruby said wistfully. "It'

But right now, I need this br

's heart. For a moment, the shadows lurki

The rose on her doorstep, the cryptic notes,

r. This was her home, her sanctua

*

ry, Ivy stared out the window with cold intensity. The city bu

ds shoved into his pockets

bout this?" he as

around. "I wan

ending threats. This is-this is real. Perman

d've stayed gone. But no-she wants to play hou

this isn't just about jealousy

think I wanted it to get this far? I

the counter - no bigger than a wallet. In its ce

at it like i

id you more than you've ever made for a singl

esit

re her," Rick muttere

u to finish it. You push that button, and it

d reached slowl

Ivy whi

er phone still warm from the call with Ruby. She'd just finished vacuuming the hallw

king Ruby had fo

screen w

. No

fr

it s

off and reache

parked black SUV,

vered over t

n he pr

ick wa

that followe

h

OO

lying shards, flames erupting from the living room. A shockwave rolled dow

g wheel tightly, his hea

d the engine a

oud, black and angry against the blue sky. Flames curled from the remains of Maya'

ms ra

, some barefoot, some still in robes. People gathere

meone cried. "D

ion-like somethin

er chest, eyes wide. "She was just out earlier...

he the girl they said got pregna

head. "I heard she was a

olemnly, "I know she was supposed to leave

t a hush thro

n. Glass shattered again from inside, and the

oo whee

, red lights flashing as firefighters jumped out w

ng the professionals go to work

onths, her family

that café near downto

do this. You t

pregnant fo

e rich people

uder, the sky fillin

, a woman clutched her phone, trying

e's not pi

car at the corner of the block, sun

idn't

Now let's see if Spen

driver pu