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Prologue

Alabao

Rain pelted froh the trees, which thrashed in the blackened night In agony, I ran, sureas loud as the thunder that cracked through the heavens above

I gasped when round, and I stu hard on my hands and knees I cried out, unsure where the pain was co from—my mind or my heart or my torn flesh

Why would they do this to me?

I wept toward the ground, stricken with grief, with betrayal, before I heaved ered toward the house, which was lit up like war, I propelledopen the door and fumbled inside

I whimpered in misery when I paused to look around the rooed outside

Why would they do this to me? How could they be so cruel?

It took about all I had, but I forcedI couldn’t stay I had to leave I had to get away Choking back sobs, I clung to the banister and hauled myself upstairs and to my room Knees caked inout the suitcase froered to my feet and headed for the closet

Tears clouding ers and shoved them into the suitcase I’d tossed onto the bed,e to escape only intensified when I ht, I ripped the drawers fro ould fit into the suitcase

The whole tiled to restrain the sobs bound in my throat To keep them quiet To pretend it hadn’t happened To pretend I didn’t have to do this

With shaking fingers, I tugged at the zipper

“Rynna, what’s going on?” The sleepy voice filled with concern hit me from behind

Torment lashed like the crack of a whip My eyes slammed closed, and the words treo”