Prologue

The air was getting cooler. Not enough to warrant a heavy coat, just enough to wear a light sweater, but I was covered. Hood up, face down, making no eye contact with anyone. That would be inviting a conversation but I was not in the mood for it. Still fuming about my group project partner.

No email, no phone call, no nothing, she just went and did the project by herself. And when I finally emailed her, when I had not heard from her, she had the audacity to say she 'meant' to email me. Then proceed to say she did not put my name on the display, because she could not remember my last name, but I could do the paperwork if I wanted to.

I huffed through my noise very violently, causing a fellow student to look in surprise before continuing on. I was trying very hard to clean up my language, which was very hard after using it since I was three, because no respectable business woman curses, at least not in public. But right now I was about to break my month long promise and make an exception in order to relieve my frustration.

But she was not worth it.

I sighed heavily. The kind you do when you have done everything you can possibly do and by finally admitting it is all you can do, you just let it go. Some of the stress left me, but not much.

I would just email the professor once I got home. I could not take a grade I did not earn. Maybe she will let me do another one by myself at the end of the semester. She was an older professor and very easy going, I am sure she would understand.

Unlocking the door I dropped my bag on the couch before locking it back in place, along with the bolt. My apartment was simple, just like I like it. One couch, one bookshelf, one coffee table, one tv stand and tv. My room was almost as barren with just a bed, dresser, and one cork board with a few pictures on it. The closet sporting a few clothes on hangers and random piles of shoes. Mason wanted to get me something more fancy, but I told him no.

This was all I needed.

With another angry huff, because I was still upset about my 'partner', I picked up the remote with a snort. Jamming the On button to create some white noise while I fixed my dinner.

Reaching in the frig I pulled out some left overs, spaghetti, and threw it on a plate then, not so nicely, into the microwave. A few minutes later I was sitting on the couch, plate in one hand, glass of juice in the other, and my laptop on the table.

I took a few bites before opening up my email and searching for my professor.

"Breaking News from Gothem…"

My head shot up, everything else forgotten but the young lady reporter on the screen. For the next ten or so minutes I listened, transfixed, as she spoke. Images and footage interrupting her every now and then but it was the last video that sent my skin crawling.

In two seconds I made a decision. I wrote a whole different email to my professor, also adding my other ones, before sending it and rushing to the bedroom grabbing a bag.

Hitting speed dial, I rested my phone in the crook of my ear while I stuffed a few shirts in a suitcase.

It rang a few times.

"Hello?" His old, tired voice sounded like he had been sleeping. I imaged him running his hand over his wrinkled face and through his white hair.

"Mason, it's Lil. Pack some things you are coming to stay with me for a while."

"What? What are you talking about?" He sounded more awake, shifting of covers muffling his words.

"I just saw the news about the Stock Exchange. You're leaving town for a bit."

"Lily, what on earth are you saying? It was just a bunch of thugs. Stuff like that happens all the time here. You know that."

"This is different." I mumbled. Finishing with my clothes and heading to the bathroom. "Did you see the footage?"

"Yes." He yawned. "But I still do not see why-"

"They were not ordinary thugs, Mason. Especially the really big one." I mumbled the last part. The thought of him sending shivers down my spine.

"I am coming to get you. Something is very wrong. I can feel it."

"Lily, it is a six hour drive. You do not need-"

"Look, dam-." I snapped, though catching myself, throwing some shampoo and conditioner in a plastic bag before putting them in the bigger bag. "I have a really bad feeling about this. I am going to come get you and James. We will stay long enough to get your stuff in order, a day or two tops, and then you are going to stay with me until I feel it is safe. Ok?"

Silence.

I sighed. Pausing my packing to rub at my tired eyes.

Stupid midterms.

"Mason, if I am wrong then it will just turn out as a small vacation for you and James. But please, for me, please just get some things together and stay with me for a while. It will make me feel a lot better."

Silence.

"It's midterms, Mason. I don't need anymore worry, please." I knew it was a low move but I could not explain how bad I felt about this. Living on the street, you learn a few things, and this had 'stuff-is-gonna-hit-the-fan' all

"Alright." I sighed in relief. "Do not want to distract you from your school work. Especially with one semester left."

"Thank you." I whispered. "Tell James to do the same. I will be there in five hours, maybe four."

"Lily Annie you better not-"

"Love you, bye."

In ten minutes flat I was packed, keys in hand, and heading to the door. I paused when my stomach growled.

Once I started driving I would not want to stop.

With a huff I dropped my bag, grabbed a fork, grabbed the plate from the table and woofed the food down before depositing it in the sink. Glancing at the frig, I pulled out two energy drinks, hand full of granola bars, and fruit gummies (no judging a cheap college student). Sliding them into a side pocket of my bag before closing the front door behind me.

Pulling my phone out again, texting my boss about a family emergency before hopping down the stairs two at a time.

If the boss didn't like it he could deal. No job is worth more than family.

Colder air hit my face, causing me to shiver as I left the building.

It was going to be a long drive.