The water swallowed me instantly, icy and deep.
Panic slammed into my chest.
“I can’t swim!” I choked, thrashing. “Stop! Please!”
But they didn’t stop.
They stood at the edge, watching.
Then I saw Ian reach into a bag.
My heart froze.
A pistol.
Vale pulled one out too.
My blood turned to ice all over again.
“Where did you get—” I started, voice shaking.
Ian’s face twisted with disgust. “You’re pathetic. You think running away will make us want you? You’re vile.”
Vale’s eyes were wild. “You should die here. It’s the only way to apologize to our real mother.”
Together, perfectly in sync, they raised their guns.
Aimed straight at my chest.
And fired.
The shots ripped through the night—bullets slicing the air, racing toward my heart.
