Page 78 of Rules

When I finally let go and take a step back, I’m so tired it feels like I’m going to fall down with exhaustion.

Wishing Jeanette goodnight, I turn around and go to my room, walking straight to my bed and falling face-first to the mattress. My whole body aches, but a little bit of relief goes through my muscles as they begin to relax.

For a second, I think of taking off my clothes and getting underneath the comforter, but my eyes feel so heavy.So tired.

I’ll just close them for a second...

* * *

I’m not sure what wakes me up. One moment I’m deep asleep, the next my whole body jolts, like I’m free-falling. My eyes fly open as I inhale sharply, sweet air filling my lungs. My heart is thumping in my chest, and I can feel its steady beat ringing in my ears.

Dream, it’s just a dream.

Turning on my back, I run my hand through my hair, trying to even my still-heavy breathing. I reach for my phone to see what time it is when movement at the bottom of my bed catches my attention. Sitting up straight, I turn on the light. It blinds me temporarily, but after blinking a few times, I can finally see clearly.

What little calm I regained goes down the drain when I see the person standing in my room.

I jump out of my bed and go to her, but when I see her trembling body, I slow my movements as not to scare her. “Brook, is everything okay?”

Her hair is a mess from sleeping, her clothes wrinkled. Her whole body is trembling almost violently, but that’s not what has me shaken to my core.

No. It’s the tears. Big, ugly tears that are streaming down her cheeks are what bring me down to my knees.

And then she opens her mouth, and her words are as empty as her eyes, which are glued to a spot on the wall.

“H-he’s in there. When I close my eyes, I can see him.” Her throat bobs as she swallows, and then she blinks, making more tears fall. “I-I c-can’t be a-alone.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

BROOK

My feet stomp against the ground as I run, my hectic breathing so loud I’m sure they can hear it too, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get it under control. The loud thumping of my heart is mixing with all the noise, making it hard to hear. I look over my shoulder to see if they’re following me, the panic I’m feeling so strong it’s asphyxiating.

I stumble over my own feet, swearing as I fall to the ground. Pain radiates from my scraped knees, making me hiss under my breath. They laugh somewhere behind me, making my blood turn cold.I need to get out of here.I jump to my feet in a hurry and every so often, I look back to see if they’ve finally caught up with me.

They will eventually,alittle voice whispers in my ear, but I shake my head, refusing to accept it.

Back on my feet, I start to run again but don’t get far. I crash into somebody, the lump in my throat growing big and closing off my breath. A strangled sound comes out of my mouth as I lift my eyes, my whole body shaking violently.

No. This can’t be.

But it is; I know it is. I try to take a step back, but his hands fall on my shoulders, gluing me to my spot and preventing me from moving.

“You thought you could run from me, little girl?”

Those glassy eyes meet mine, and my whole body goes numb when I seethatgleam in them. I’ve seen it so many times, I know what’s coming next.

Tears burn my eyes as I try to fight it. Fighthim.But he’s strong. Too strong. He always is.

“There is no escaping me.” His grin grows wider as he pushes me back. I can feel something behind my knees, and before I know it, I’m falling down. My back hits something hard—a mattress—and my whole body jumps from the impact.

I look around. Dark room. Cheesy Minnie Mouse bedsheets. White bunny left forgotten on the edge of the mattress. Mr. Loopy.

No, this can’t be happening.

A scared whimper breaks off my lips. He chuckles, one knee meeting the mattress, forcing my thighs to open wider as he settles between my legs. My skinny, covered-with-worn-pink-pajamas legs.

I try to move away, shaking my head no.

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