Maverick
I grimaced, my side on fire from where Brick had kicked it repeatedly. I was pretty sure I had a couple of broken ribs.
“Mav?” Tillie whispered, her frightened voice breaking my heart.
We were in some kind of basement. I wasn’t sure if it was a house or commercial space, but it was moldy and damp and had only one small window that didn’t appear to open. I was sitting on a soiled mattress pushed up against the wall, and Tillie was next to me.
“I’m okay, Till,” I lied.
She took my hand and studied me. “I’m really sorry.”
I swallowed and took a shallow breath. “For what?”
“This is all my fault.”
My blood ran cold. “How is it your fault, Tillie?”
“I just wanted to hang out with Chloe before her bus came.” She squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming down her face. “I kind of d
