[Violet]
My back hit the wall, and I let out a sharp breath. His arm braced beside my head as he leaned close—not touching, but close enough to make my heart pound. Not from fear. Not even from anger anymore.
Neither one of us said a word for the next few moments and I could tell he was listening for footsteps. "She's stopped."
I pressed my eyes shut and exhaled in relief. "Thank you," I whispered.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned to exit the alley.
My hand shot out for his, stopping him. “I’d like to talk.”
He didn’t turn, “how could a mute possibly speak?” He returned to character, pretending not to know me. But I could tell why he was trying to rush off. Because he knew I would ask about his family.
Still, he didn’t shake me off.
“You’re running because you know
