Skylar Greene
EMILY
The way Darren dismisses the significance of our night together stings. He’s the one I’ve given my heart to.
I went to great lengths last night, ensuring he’d be mine. I even sought the help of a dark witch, paying her a hefty sum for a special potion.
She assured me he’d never know he’d been under its influence. I managed to slip it into his drink while pretending to be intoxicated.
Last night was a dream come true. Darren was the perfect gentleman as we made love.
I was worried at first, given his size, but he was gentle. He was careful, knowing it was my first time.
I woke up this morning expecting him to be as elated as I was. But I found myself alone in bed, assuming he’d left to keep our secret safe.
I can’t share this with anyone, especially not Ava and Lily. They wouldn’t understand. I love him deeply, and I know I’d make a great luna.
I thought he’d do the right thing, make me his luna, once he realized he was my first. But he betrayed my trust by telling Liam.
Liam has been pestering me, questioning how I could give Darren my virginity when he clearly doesn’t want me. He should mind his own business.
I’m determined to be the next luna, and they’ll all have to respect me.
***
JADE
Julia and I share the driving duties. We finally reach a decent-sized town in Arizona, home to a college where we can transfer our credits.
The physical evidence of his violence has faded. There’s no sign of the bruise or the scar on my lip. I haven’t told Julia what happened; I don’t want her to worry.
We’re Irish twins, born ten months apart, and as the older sister, it’s my job to protect her.
We only have each other now, our parents having passed away. They left us financially secure when we started college.
Our plan is to start our own business after graduation. I’m studying software development, and Julia is a software engineering major.
We only have a few more classes to complete before we graduate. I researched this town before we decided to settle here. Something about it called to me.
We stop at a roadside diner. Across the road, a beautiful forest stretches out.
I’ve always loved nature. As I gaze at the forest, I could swear I see a pair of bright blue eyes watching me. Then they disappear. Maybe it’s just my imagination.
We head into the diner and slide into a booth.
A friendly older woman comes over to take our order. We both opt for burgers, fries, and Cokes.
Julia asks, “What’s next, Jade?”
I tell her we’ll transfer our credits to the local college, then find a place to set up our business.
I suggest we get new phones after lunch, then start looking for a place to live.
The waitress returns with our food and offers, “I couldn’t help but overhear. If you’re looking for a place to stay, there’s a hotel about five minutes from here.”
We thank her, finish our meal, pay, and leave. We find the hotel, which seems deserted except for one other car. I reassure Julia it’s just temporary until we find an apartment.
Once we’re in our room, we both collapse onto the beds. We’ve been cooped up in the car for days, driving non-stop. I needed to put as much distance as possible between us and Owen.
I’m confident he won’t go to the police. He’d have to incriminate himself to explain why I attacked him. I just hope he doesn’t track us down.
After a good night’s sleep, we head out to buy groceries and look for apartments. I hope we find a place soon.
We stock up on food for the hotel’s mini kitchen and buy new phones.
Back at the hotel, I call the college about transferring. Once I have all the details, I call our old school to arrange the transfer of our credits.
Hopefully, we’ll hear from the new school by Monday.
We find a spacious, affordable apartment in the newspaper. We call the realtor, check it out, and both of us fall in love with it.
We finalize the purchase and begin to settle in. Our belongings are sparse, a result of our hasty departure. We make a plan to shop for necessities like clothes and household items the next day.
We ascend the stairs and each claim a room. The apartment boasts three bedrooms and an equal number of bathrooms. Every bedroom is equipped with a walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom.
The kitchen and living room are both reasonably spacious. It’s the perfect place for us, newcomers to the city.
We’re keen on keeping a low profile, and our cash purchase of this modest apartment has already raised a few eyebrows.
The realtor’s gaze held a hint of suspicion, as if she was trying to puzzle out the source of our wealth. But all I wanted was a sanctuary, a place to call home after the turmoil we’d endured.
We locate our respective bedrooms, grateful for the sleeping bags that will serve as our beds until we can buy real ones.
Julia approaches me, asking if she can bunk in my room until she gets her own bed.
I assure her it’s okay, and she drifts off to sleep almost immediately. I can tell my abduction has affected her deeply, and she’s struggling to cope.
I put on a brave face for her sake, but once I’m certain she’s sound asleep, I allow myself to cry. The fear that he might track me down and harm me—or worse, harm Julia—consumes me.
I weep until sleep claims me, praying fervently that he won’t find us.