Ava moved fast down the hallway, her heels clicking hard against the floor, each step sending a dull ache throbbing through her body. She hugged her coat tighter around herself. She needed a shower. She needed to scrub her skin raw. She needed to disappear.
Her phone buzzed in her bag. She fumbled for it, hands shaking, and didn’t even need to look at the screen to know who it was. Only one person called on this line.
She answered, pressing it tight to her ear, voice flat and hollow. “Hello.”
“Ava.” Nico’s voice came through, low and steady. “It’s late. You said you wouldn’t be long. Where exactly are you? I’m sending the car around to pick you up now.”
“No.” She replied quickly. She slowed her pace, stepping out onto the street. “No, Nico. Don’t send the car. I’m… I’m already getting
