ASHER
Morning came too soon, and I'd barely slept after the texts from Reed. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face in the firelight, and I heard his voice promising to break me.
Tomorrow, the real fun begins.
I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for class, moving so slow like someone who had already given up. My hands were still shaking from last night, my body felt wrong, like my skin was stretched too tight over my bones.
The suppressants were wearing off faster than they should.
I needed to see Ms. Chen, I needed help from her, and I needed something to hold me over until I figured out what the hell I was going to do. She was the only one who knew my secret and could possibly help me out without turning her back on me. She was my last hope but first, I needed food.
I walked into the cafeteria at seven AM, the usual breakfast rush already in full swing, and the moment I stepped through the door, the noise level dropped.
