"Lena," Jaden called, leaning slightly toward the open window, his elbow resting on the door like this was a casual hello instead of a threat wrapped in leather seats.
I kept walking. My pulse hammered hard enough to make my vision pulse at the edges.
"Don't ignore me," he said, quieter now, which somehow made it worse.
I didn't look at him. Didn't slow down. The bus stop was twenty steps away. Nineteen. Eighteen.
The car inched forward, gliding beside me.
"Lena," he said again. "Get in the car!"
"No," I answered without turning my head. My voice surprised me. It was steady. "I'm going home."
He exhaled a laugh, low and sharp. "Home? After ignoring my calls?" The car rolled closer. "You and I are not done."
"I'm not getting in," I repeated. "Go away, Jaden."
Jaden's reply was a so
