ASHBY
This is the third time I’ve tried to run.
And this is the third time I’ve managed to get this far.
The first two times, Jude dragged me back before I even made it past the gates. He smiled while doing it like it was all some twisted game and I was just his favorite toy. I swore I wouldn’t try again while he tortured me through the bond. I swore I’d learned my lesson.
But here I am. Running. Again.
Only this time feels different. My legs ache, my lungs burn but I still wait by the silver car like in the text — Level 2 exit, blue pillar, plate ends in 7K. My eyes are on the road above and below. To my scared nerves, every shadow is Jude, every engine makes my stomach drop.
And I just know. If he catches me again, there won’t be a fourth attempt. The bond will eat me alive.
I sta
