Chapter 3

“Don’t move!”

I felt the sharp tip of a knife pressing against my side. My brain froze, wrapped in a cold, terrifying panic.

I stiffened, desperately looking toward Jason, hoping he would help.

But no. Chloe was also being held hostage, and Jason rushed over to save her, getting into a fight with the attacker.

“Jason! Jason!” I screamed.

“Claire, wait! I’ll save you in just a second!”

I laughed bitterly. I’ve never wanted someone to tell me to wait or just hang on.

“Didn’t I tell you not to move, you stupid bitch?!”

“You all look down on me, don’t you? None of you ever listen!”

The attacker’s mood shifted, and I froze, hoping the emergency call I managed to make while screaming Jason’s name would work. But it was clear Chloe had no interest in me surviving this.

She screamed, “Claire, don’t call the cops! If they come, someone’s going to get hurt! I don’t want to die!”

Jason heard her and immediately turned toward me, eyes red with anger. He didn’t say a word but went back to fighting off the guy who was holding Chloe.

At that moment, the attacker behind me snapped. The knife was suddenly in front of me, stabbing me three times, his hand clamping over my mouth to keep me from making a sound.

I crumpled to the ground like a ragdoll, bleeding out, unable to scream.

Jason was so busy protecting Chloe, and that’s when it hit me—Chloe didn’t want me to call the cops because she knew she’d be fine. She had someone protecting her. Not me.

When I could call for help, even with my boyfriend right there, all I got was “just wait.”