Evelyn’s POV
I stood in the shadow of the campus gates, my heart pounding in my chest like the drumbeat of impending doom. The weight of the small backpack slung over my shoulder felt heavier than it should have been. It was filled with supplies that would last me a few days on my own. My breath came in shallow bursts as I scanned the perimeter one last time, ensuring no lingering eyes might follow me. I closed my eyes tight, I was actually going through with this. Yet, as I stood there, a knot of doubt tightened in my stomach.
For weeks, I had felt the net closing in around me, the walls of Thunderclap Military College becoming less a sanctuary and more a prison. It was only a matter of time before someone put together the pieces and found out who I really was. The only way to survive was to run, to leave behind everything and everyone before it was too late.