Page 74 of Psycho

And what was more disturbing was that he had been watching me for a few years now. Had followed me around, keeping track of where I was, what I was doing, and who I was doing it with.

I felt sick.

I felt violated because he saw everything. He knew everything there was to know about me, and I knew nothing about him save for the rumors.

Another thought occurred.

“Brody?” I asked, a slight croak to my voice.

“I sent him to pick you up.”

I shook my head. So all that shit Brody spewed about wanting to be my friend was just that… shit.

Somehow that was the least important thing happening here, but it seemed to hurt the most.

I jumped off the bed and ran to the bathroom, ignoring him calling out my name.

I shut the door behind me and leaned against the wooden door, taking in the small space. I wasn’t crying—small blessings, I supposed—but I was feeling… numb.

I was stuck in this house with the fucking psycho.

* * *

We droveto school in silence.

Micah was a quiet man, so that wasn’t surprising, and I had nothing to say to him, not unless he wanted me to scream, and something told me he wouldn’t be receptive to that.

Would there come a day when I pushed him hard enough, and he showed me exactly how he had earned his reputation?

My heart sped up at the thought.

Nothing and no one could protect me from him then.

Nothing and no one could protect me now.

He pulled up to the school, and I watched as the other kids moved around, laughing with each other and looking so carefree. My heart hurt.

I had never been one of those kids, even when I was living with Dad.

I didn’t think I would ever be.

I blinked when he pulled to a stop, and I opened the door.

“Lainey—”

I slammed the door shut before he could say anything and moved toward the school, keeping my head down.

There was nothing to be said.

Nothing I wanted to hear.

I got to my locker and opened it, shoving my bag inside and grabbing some of the stuff I needed for my first class.

I shut the locker door and startled back when I realized someone was standing beside it.

I took in the boy warily.

Josh Marstein.

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