na

damp from the spilled drink, clung to me like

voice dripping with mock sympathy. "It's your turn. Just s

me. My father's grave. My mother's fall. My home, crumblin

of disdain. "Oh, the little Appalachia doll is broken," she

ed nails dug into my arm. She twis

mine. Her breath smelled of expensive champagne and venom. "You're nothing. A p

de me. The years of qu

er of Kiarra' s cronies, a blonde named Tiff

still!" Ki

They were acting out all the times Kiarra had humiliated me in pub

. She grabbed a fistful, yankin

who you are?" she spat, her eyes blazing with malicious glee. "Yo

, but from the raw humiliation. The memory of her words at the uni

His eyes met mine. For a split second, I sa

a step

an," he murmured, loud enough for me to hear. "Kiarra's upset. And

e to Kiarra. Kiarra, looking fragile and w

l, cracked a little further. He would

n. Her face, triumphant.

stinct. I wouldn't let the

g. My teeth found flesh. A

ra shrieked, clutching her han

"Kiarra! Are you okay?" His voice, fil

y still held me, th

ried, her eyes wide with manufac

!" I gasped, my voice ragge

" Brittany scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You'r

frantic Clayton, glared at me. "Clayton, s

and distant. "Take her." His voice was devoid of emotion. "Take

u promised. You promised you'd protect me." The words tasted like dust.

t, Alana. You insulted her. You

My broken body. My broken home.

. Down a long, dimly lit corridor. My arm still throbbed w

l, windowless room. The d

eet. A barrage of blows. Everywhe

ct myself. But there was no protectio

muffled through the door, called out, "

the cold, hard floor. B

on

me. My body screamed. But a new sensation

he promises were empty. The protection, a faca

a broken pawn, with nothing left to lo