sie'

oke me up. I hadn't realized

clock by my

p and went to get

ready awake, making br

e up," she said

feel like talking to he

. I'll dish you a plate."

ot hun

hungry to eat breakfast. Si

than I meant. "I mean, it's not like you're my real

that way. I raised you. I loved you like my own. I've done everything a mother would do for her

ow could you not mention it once? And now you're telling me I have this gift and I belong

ough? Have I ever failed

with this drama." I grabbed m

pleading now. "The Elementals will be back today

hed, but it wasn't funny. "Well, Mom, I don't care. I'm

r open and slamm

~

I couldn't

hink about was home. What would happen when I told thos

ind of gift did she mean? Bli

ened around me before, but

on't you give

apped me back. Everyon

ear... I don't know th

lass, everyone," the teacher said. "To avoid e

ass la

d, softer now. "I just wanted to see if you were her

d to listen for t

~

th Veronica, Marvin, and Abby again but I k

okay? Your mind'

It's not important, d

about my problems. I c

sur

" I forced

. The new girl's

ice before I t

ng better to do than talk to me?"

't know you had something to do with my vi

t my face blank. "I don't kno

freak of some kind. And freaks

freak here, it's you. Oh, and you two as

," Lisa hissed,

oo, close enou

do much worse if you don't stop pestering me. Consider this a warning.

back and

m her face. That was

t worth it," Lisa muttered, and

ver seen her scared of anyon

d you say?" Ve

t shr

home. I didn't wait for Mom

ack SUVs were alrea

p breath and

you," the dirty-blonde woman

on't owe you peopl

Are her things ready?" the b

." Mom pointed

Boxes.

en at Mom. "How coul

her fingers. The men in leather attir

is? Why are they

. But this is wha

these people. Please don't do this to me, Mom. P

hoice, Cassie. An

I hate you! I hate all of yo

nds flew to her throat. She started choki

d. Was I

oing this instant," the bl

ing anythin

ald man said. His voi

t him. "No

ol. You need to want it to

doesn't mean I wanted it to

you

didn't!" I y

. His hands went to his

aw a wall of wat

ck, drove me back in

n I bla

~