Gabriel’s POV
I yanked the blanket higher, ribs screaming, but the bruises were already blooming purple under my shirt. Mom’s footsteps creaked closer. Oh s**t! I twisted toward the wall, pretending sleep, heart hammering like it wanted out of my chest. She can't see me like this! I have to make sure she doesn't, or else I don't know what's going to happen.
The door opened anyway. Her perfume hit first, soft, floral, too gentle. I tasted blood on my tongue as she got closer, and I wanted to do everything to hide it from her, but I know my Mom. It's like she have this super sense that always knows that I'm in danger, and she comes whenever I'm trying to hide things from her.
“Gabriel?” Her voice sliced the quiet. “This is useless, you know. Hiding like a child.”
I didn’t move. I was in
