ue lights flashing against the alley wall

him. He remembered the silver needles, the safe box

" Theodore calle

y, her silhouette backlit by the s

ore urged. "I must repay th

er voice cool and dist

ast life, loyalties had gotten her ki

slip away into the shadows. By the time the paramedics rushed p

searched the empty alley

Find her. I want to know where she came f

longer routine surveil

the cold window. Her muscles ached, and her shoulder throbbed from the fight.

aid in cash and climbed the narrow stairs to a

e drain. Afterward, she faced the cracked bathroom mirror. The reflection still startled her-a soft, unfamiliar

promised hersel

rs family-mostly threats and insults. June's expression didn't change. She blocked every number-Martha

villa, Martha pace

hoarse from yelling. "She actually dared to stay out a

mere throw. "Mom, don't be so angry. Maybe J

. "She'd better get her ass back here," he growled. "Ariana's physical is n

une was safe. They only

"She blocked us," Martha said, her voice trembling with rag

ial media?" Ariana suggested, her voice sy

she's not back by morning, I'm calling the

eighteen-year-old would eventually come crawling back. But t

ther pace and decided

sine to redden her eyes, angled her phone, and snapped a selfie. She looked like t

est life possible. But last night, over a silly little argument, she just... ran away. She blocked all our numbers. I know she's always ha

sentences, Ariana painted her family as selfless savi

ents expressing anger toward th