rand, all looked the same: polished stone floors, tall windows, and portraits of Night Walker Alphas staring down as i

d under her breath, kicking

e doorway, grinned. "Bored, are we?" she said,

ad, curious but cau

k out. Just for a little while. There's a river

throwing flowers into the water, laughing as the sunlight danced on the waves. Her heart tightened

don't worry! We'll only be gone a little

ssing against her curiosity. Alessia grabbed her hand and

f nodding. "Okay... but only for a little while,"

g patterns that danced across the forest floor. Hazel's heart pounded with excitement and fear. Every

est tightened as she stepped closer, toes brushing the cool water. Memories came rushing back:

y here," Hazel said softly,

tching the ripples. "I knew you

the riverbank, the sound of their laughter echoing in the clearing. Alessia's h

ning her fingers through the braid. "It's beau

I... I don't think it's that special,"

Asher can't keep his eyes off you

arrassed and unsure if she wanted to admit that she had

ffectionate. "Sure, sure. Care

lf again, a child free from grief and rules, laughing beside

oon," Hazel said, glancing tow

"No way. Not yet! I want to stay a

and the rare warmth of freedom. "Okay.

haos s

follow, and a cold sense of danger froze Hazel in place. She barely had time to screa

g forward-but just as quickly,

esitated only for a moment before turning, her instinct for survival overp

panic clawing at her chest. "Let go of me!" she s

ting moments of freedom-all of it

was ca

d just begun to call