Page 9 of The Invite
I use the men’s distraction against them.
Shoving against his steel-like chest until his fingers slip out, I dart in the opposite direction and run as fast as my feet carry me.
I don’t dare look over my shoulder.
Every little noise and chatter sends a stab of fear in my chest. Every shadow makes me think it’s them chasing me. I somehow manage my way out of the woods. Exhausted and wounded.
With my phone lost in the scuffle, I only have my memory to rely on.
The driver was right. I end up exactly on my street, which is fortunate because I’m able to find my one-story brick house. I keep looking behind me for anyone following me until I reach my place.
The key is under the mat.
Quickly unlocking the door with trembling fingers, I cross the threshold and slap the door shut. I bolt the lock.
Slumping down to the floor, I will my heart to calm down and stress over how the hell I am going to survive tomorrow with no phone and clothes. I only have a little cash hidden in my bra.
This little town was supposed to be my fresh start.
A chance at a normal and quiet life.
It’ll be neither, not after tonight’s close call with death and my predators out in the wild. I’ll have to keep my guard up because they could be anyone. I could run into them on the street and never know they own my nightmares.
Especially him.
The monster with sinister eyes.
CHAPTER – 3
Nessa
“Miss Davenport,” the principal’s assistant calls my name.
I glance up from my perch on the gray couch.
“Mr. Crane will see you now.”
Standing up, I heft my purse higher on my shoulder and walk toward the office right beside the assistant’s desk. Everything I am wearing, from my clothes and short heels to the tote bag in my hand, is cheap and newly purchased.
I am standing out like a sore thumb in the halls of this wealthy elite school.
Especially on a Friday, since the school wanted me to start immediately.
There was a time when I was like these kids. Born into an upstanding family, carefree, hopeful, and with the world at the tip of my fingers. Then it was all torn away in the blink of an eye.
I am living a lie now.
My life is nothing but a house of cards that can be tattered at any moment.
“Thank you,” I say to the stoic assistant, who looks down her nose at me. No problem, I’m not here to make friends either.
Ignoring her, I twist the knob, push the door open, and stride inside. Mr. Crane—the stern principal—glances up from his desk with a backdrop of a luscious garden through the large window. The interior of his office is done in rich cream woods in every shade.
“Miss Davenport,” he greets, standing from his chair. “You’re early.”
Blame it on a restless night of tossing and turning.
I shake his hand firmly. “Please call me Nessa.”
