Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
And then I hit the ground, and ice pours through my veins, freezing my body.
I feel broken, and I’m barely breathing, knowing this is how I die.
Slime coats my skin, and I see a shadow tower over me. There’s insanity gleaming from its eyes. I feel it claw at me as if it’s trying to tear me open.
Paralyzed and mute, horror crash over me.
Jase doesn’t come, and the monster tears through my flesh.
JASE
“I almost beat you,” I joke.
“There’s no such thing as almost in chess, son,” Granddad chuckles.
He called earlier and feeling that Mila was in a good place, I decided to come over for a quick visit.
The game took a little longer than I expected and glancing at my watch, I see that it’s just gone past ten pm.
“I should get back,” I say as I rise to my feet.
“It was good seeing you again. I’ve missed you for the past two weeks but understand why you couldn’t visit.”
I give my grandfather a hug then walk to the front door. “I’ll see you next week. Maybe I can beat you then.”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” he chuckles, seeing me off.
I walk to my car and getting in, I strap on the seat belt before starting the engine. The drive back to campus is quick, and I wonder what Mila did while I was gone as I take the elevator up to our floor.
Walking into the suite, I’m greeted by absolute fucking chaos.
“Call Jase!” Fallon screams, and it makes me break out into a run.
“What – ” My question is cut short when I see someone broke down Mila’s door, and I hear Jade crying, “It’s me, Mila. Open the door.”
My heart slams against my ribs as worry burns through me.
Hunter sees me and explains, “Mila was screaming, and I had to break down the door, but then she locked herself in the bathroom.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” I dart into her room and see Jade and Fallon in front of the closed bathroom door.
They move out of the way as I knock on the door. “Mila, it’s Jase. Open up.”
When she doesn’t answer, I use my shoulder and throw my full body weight against the door. Breaking through, she’s lying on the floor, curled in a small bundle.
I drop down next to Mila, and the moment I touch her, she convulses and lets out an agonizing cry that rips right through me.
Flashes of that fucking night tear through me.
Grabbing hold of Mila’s shoulders, I pull her up and lock my arms around her. She struggles against my grip, and her hand connects with the side of my neck.
“I’m here, babe. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
Her fist slams against my chest, and then all the fight leaves her body, and she smothers a cry against my shirt.
“I’m here.” I keep repeating the words, and sitting flat on my ass, I pull her onto my lap and tighten my arms around her.
Her sobs are broken, and each one shudders through her body.
I shouldn’t have left her alone. God, what have I done?
Mila’s voice is hoarse as she cries, “You didn’t come.”
“I’m here now,” I say, and bringing a hand to her face, I have to force her to look at me. All the light has been dimmed in her eyes, and it has me asking, “What happened?”
The question has Mila trying to pull free from me, and when I don’t loosen my grip on her, she shoves at me, screaming, “Let go of me!”
It’s the first time I’m unable to calm her down, and it makes panic rip through me like a hurricane.
I let her go, not wanting to upset her even more. A helpless feeling settles hard in my gut.
Mila struggles to her feet, and as I rise to my full length, anger begins to radiate off her. “How could you?”
“I’m sorry I left,” I say again.
Mila shakes her head hard. Her body’s tense, and she wraps an arm around her waist. “Why did you go out with her?”
Say what?
Confused as fuck, I tilt my head, and a frown forms on my forehead. “What are you talking about?”
“I know you went out with Jessica,” she snaps. “I was stupid to think this afternoon meant anything.”
My eyes snap to Jade and Fallon and the rest of our friends watching as the night continues to unravel into chaos, and I bark, “Can we have some privacy?”
They quickly leave, and I turn my gaze back to Mila. “I wasn’t out with Jessica. I went to my grandfather’s.”
I see how my words stun her and needing her to believe me, I yank my phone from my pocket and pull up my call list. Holding the device to her so she can see, I say, “He called and asked that I come over. That’s where I’ve been for the past three hours.”