Page 56 of Only Fate

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Iused to call bullshit on twin telepathy.

I was a twin and never experienced it.

Until today.

One look at my brother, and I know something is wrong.

The vomiting must’ve been a forewarning that something bad was coming.

“You didn’t hear, did you?” River asks as soon as Adrian leaves.

I haven’t seen him this serious since the accident when he said he’d murder everyone involved.

I gulp. “Hear what?”

River starts pacing, and Easton sits in Adrian’s abandoned chair.

“The Prison Exoneration Program picked up Earl’s case,” River bites out.

You know that phrase,getting the wind knocked out of you?

That’s exactly what happens.

The nausea I experienced earlier creeps up my stomach. I jump off the couch and dash to the bathroom. I don’t bother flipping on the light before dropping to my knees at the toilet. What little I didn’t puke out earlier comes up.

When I’m positive there’s nothing left to vomit, I sink onto the floor and rest my back against the wall. Dread is taking over every inch of me.

I pull my knees to my chest and rest my forehead on them. I’m not sure how much time I sit there before River sits down next to me. I raise my head to rest it on his shoulder.

“Who’d believe he was innocent?” I cry. “The evidence was as clear as day.”

“I don’t know, but I’ll hack into the system to find out.” He attempts to make his voice as comforting as possible. “You know I’m always here for you. So are Mom and Dad.”

I sit there and sob.

Memories of that night consume me.

I still have nightmares about it.

I’ll fight Earl’s release.

Not only for me, but for Ethan too.

When I was in the hospital after the accident, all my friends wrote me a letter.

They signed each one with,You’re not alone.

I’ll never forget that.

When I dove out of the Jeep, the fire hit my stomach and upper thighs.

Somehow, I remembered tostop, drop, and rollas soon as I hit the ground. The doctors claimed I was extremely lucky.

They did skin grafts but couldn’t fix the scars.

I’ve tried to love my new skin—I really have.

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