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Chapter One

Jade

“Just don’t go down any dark alleys or anything,” Yasmin says, her voice laced with anxiety “Just … stay where people can see you, okay?”

I clutch ainst h the oppressive closeness of the bustling city streets Despite the riot of noises all aroundpedestrians and the rev of engines – my heartbeat pounds loudly in my ears

I glance back to see if he’s still following me

Like always, he’s dressed all in black, a scarf pulled up over his mouth and nose, and a cap pulled down over his eyes I spotted him as I left the subway, my waitress uniform sweaty, and my body work-tired and ready to collapse into a heap in bed

“Co by me

I curse silently and retreat to the edge of the sidewalk, out of the direct flow of the pedestrians

Snow dances in the air as I search the crowd, eyes snapping here and there, for any sign of the black clad man

“Jade?” Yasmin says “Hello? Are you still there?”

“Yeah,” I say, and then cough and clear hostly the word sounds “Yes, I’m here I can’t see him anymore”

“Do you want me to send someone?” she asks

“No, I’ainst ry hammer

My rip on the cellphone is tight, as though that will stopaway on a river of fear

“I’m just around the corner noay,” I say