Page 171 of Crystal Iris
Aaron speaks from my left. “How are you feeling?”
“Akira…”
“She’s okay. She’s in the next room.”
I nod. “How did you…?”
“Hoyt called. He told me to find you, to find Darion. I remembered you mentioning him from Harvard. I told the police. They were running license plates and IDs when we heard about the fire. Darion’s family owns the place. We came as fast as we could.”
“He…”
“He’s gone. They’ll find him, Iris. They will.”
I know before he even says it.It doesn’t matter.Even if they do find Darion, his family… They know. They know about my prism. They’ll never stop until they have it. And I know I can’t be without it. I have no other choice.I have to run.
I allow myself to feel scared for two breaths, then I shut it out.
I look at Aaron. “I need your help.”
“Whatever you need, Iris.”
“My apartment. I need you to go there, pack me some clothes,shoes, my computer, my passport—it’s in my bedside table—along with my mother’s letter. Don’t forget the letter. Bring it here as fast as you can.”
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know yet. I can’t be here, Aaron.”
“Iris, you need the doctors.”
“Aaron, please. I’m in danger.”
His eyes are on me, scared. In spite of that, he leaves with my keys. I’m glad they found my bag at the club. I must have dropped it there.
The police come by to ask me questions. I give them descriptions.How long do I have until Darion and his family find me again?
I ask the nurse to take me to the room next door. I have to talk to her.
Akira’s eyes open as I hold her hand.
“Are you okay? The fire? How did you get out?” she asks me.
“The prism—it somehow protected me from the fire.”
“Iris, they ran. The police?—”
“I know. Look.” I grab both her hands. “I’m going away. I don’t know for how long, but you can’t come looking for me. Nobody can. Or you’ll all be at risk.”
She sits up higher. “You’re not running away alone, Iris.”
“I have to. I’m not letting anyone get hurt because of me.”
“Iris, please, listen to me. I can go with you.”
“Akira, you’ve done more than enough for me,” I say, tears welling up. “Please, I still need one last favor.”
“What?”
“I need to break up with Hoyt. I need your help convincing him that I… never loved him. Or he’ll come looking for me. Darion doesn’t know about him, about his prism; he would’ve said something if he did. I need to keep it that way. I can’t ruin his life, his family. They have a life. You have a life. I don’t want anyone to lose that because of me. Will you please help me?”
