The trash cans were disgusting, but I needed food. I had to keep my strength up if I wanted to survive.
Just as I was digging through one bin and pulled out half of a baked donut, a familiar voice called from behind me.
“Camila?”
My whole body went stiff.
I turned slowly. Luna stood there, her face frozen in disbelief.
I narrowed my eyes and pulled her quickly into a nearby alley.
She was limping. Her leg must have been injured at some point and she struggled to keep pace.
Once I was sure no one was nearby, I let go of her hand.
“Why are you here?” I asked. “Shouldn’t you be at the exam hall?”
But Luna didn’t cry like she used to. She looked different now—sharper. Her bottom lip trembled as she bit it, a flicker of resentment in her eyes.
“What about you, Camila?” she shot back. “Why didn’t you take the exam? Why did you run?”
I couldn’t answer.
She grabbed my arm, her fingers tight with desperation.
“Do you know that your parents—and mine—have been arrested? They said... they said it was all because of you. That you stole Mr. Jasper’s phone. That you took his stuff...”
“I didn’t.”
I yanked my arm away and cut her off.
“Luna, they’re lying to you.”