a

felt like they were closing in on me,

the second floor. The nig

ng, breathing in the sharp scent of ra

past that. I was just

steps startled me

ge pillar, pressing my back against the cold st

a male voice said. It was Mark

lace," Ethan's voice repli

fr

care," Mark said, sounding hesitan

" Ethan

nk of a lighter, followe

dependent on me. She ha

t know,

, conspiratorial purr. "It's a game, Mark. Step o

drag, exha

ext week saying I miss her dog or something. Step thr

he damp night air su

Mark asked, confuse

maintenance. Ava is... useful. She manages my life. I jus

mouth to stop the bile

out of love. It was a c

ance that had malfunctioned and

ssed up," M

arkly. "She'll be back in my bed

listen to a

t as a ghost, fleeing

st room where the coats were

Inside was the plane ticket I had boug

ob offer I had been too s

door and slammed

ha

looked down at me, the charm gone, replaced by th

so soon?"

e, E

s the

I could react, and snatche

it b

maged through it, his fingers brushing agains

and his eyeb

p and cruel. "You're going to Portland

e of your

aving the ticket in my face. "Becaus

are toxic," I spat, my v

ession d

't going

rs tightening on the paper. He looked

my freedom. It

n't t

ung