za

words echoed in my head, freezing my blood, paralyzing me

mind was a whirlwind of terror and fury. Every horn blare, every shouted word, every flash of lig

ined Cecilia gasping for air, her small chest heaving, her ey

through the school doors. The lobby was a scene of controlled chaos. Teachers ho

d. Cecilia. Her face was ashen, her lips blue, her body wracked with violent, de

sk of performative concern, was Fiona Wilson. She was speakin

ing. I was just trying to help, offering her a little guidance." She leaned in conspiratoriall

s suffocating, and this monster w

d from my throat. "Get

my veins. Fiona flinched, turning just as I reache

ashed to the polished floor with an undignified shriek, her expensive handbag spilli

onto it. The ra

ia, snatching up the inhaler. My hands, usually so steady, trembled a

mors in her skinny frame. Slowly, agonizingly slowly, the wheezing subsided a little. The blue tinge on

mmering beneath my skin. This woman. This entitle

na Wilson across the face. The sharp crack ec

her cheek. Her eyes, wide with shock, slowly filled with dis

fully constructed poise shattering. "You

d fury. "You left my daughter to die! You took her

been murmuring in the crowd, started shouting. Flashbulbs from the few remainin

student journalist, still recording from behind a potted

t microphone to catch. "She stole her medication! While my husband, J

rs. But then, Fiona's fans, a small, fanatical group who had been at the gala,

e, pulling me back from the brink of pure, destructi

open, and Justin Mitchell, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, strod

red; me, kneeling by Cecilia, wild-eyed and dishevel

ushing past me to help Fiona up.

Ignored his daughter, who

cked me! This... this crazy woman! She slapped me! She trie

ial as he looked at me. He didn't ask about Cecilia. Didn't ask about me.

nd dangerous. He grabbed my arm, his grip surprisingly

e agony of his betrayal. He was protecting her. He was sidi

is grip faltered slightly. He looked at my face, really looked at it, perh

clinging to my arm. For a split second, a flicker of some

t time he'd truly seen me since he walked in. It was the moment he realized the "craz