The bus lurched to a halt with a screech, throwing me slightly off balance as I grabbed onto the nearest pole to steady myself. The doors hissed open, and a rush of cool evening air spilled in.
I stepped off the bus, the air sharp and tinged with the unmistakable tang of gasoline and something faintly metallic.
“Hey! Watch it!” A voice barked out, and I jolted, barely sidestepping in time as a kid on a battered BMX bike sped past me.
“Sorry!” he called over his shoulder, his laughter echoing behind him as his friend zipped by close enough to brush my jacket.
I clutched tightly to my bag and continued my walk to the mansion. The sidewalk was busy with people—some rushing home, others strolling leisurely as if they had nowhere in particular to be.
I kept my eyes down, not wanting
