za

eering me toward a narrow path that wound around the side of the mansion. The stones were cold un

The air smelled of oil and disinfectant. Before I could take in

e bared, a menacing rumble vibrating in its chest. I froze, my blood turning to ice

tires, its hot breath washing over my face. I

s! H

ylie, the girl in the pink dress, standing in the doorway that l

her voice filled with accusati

ss Kylie, are you alright? I don

essed adoringly against her leg. "He probably

" like it was

raw with a stiff brush meant for cleaning floors. I shivered, clenching my jaw to keep my teeth from chattering

n a rare moment of what he called kindness, given her a piece of candy. Her throat had closed up. Her face had swo

peanut

the house. They would be making d

o the main house. I ran through a pristine laundry room and into a gl

r was thick with the scent of roasting meat and herbs. On

eedy. "You can't use those! My mommy

, turned on me. "What the hell? Get out of he

ard, my head hitting the corner of a steel table. Pain exploded behind my

n. "What is all this commotion?" he demanded. He

teal food, Mr. Abern

t of severe allergies. No peanuts, no shellfish, no strawberries. Her meals must be prepared in a compl

They already knew. But the ki

laughed and talked. Derek sat beside my mother, his hand covering hers on the table. He leaned in and pointed to a faint, silvery scar on her forearm. Her smile faltered. The whole family

e grime on my cheek. I quickly wiped it awa

e feet silent on the cold tile. I found the trash can, my hands shaking as I pulled out the bag. Inside, there were half

rded feast into my mouth with my fingers. For the first time since leavi

led out of the garage, doubling over in pain, and was sick again, this time all over the pristine

over the mansion. Do

ver me, his face a mixture of

ps, clutching their silk robes. "Her system is severely malnourished. It can't process ric

inted a trembling finger

on a cold bench, I heard my mother'

time I look at her... I see his eyes in h

at the top of the stairs, his face a mask of cold, controlled

" he asked, his voi