CHAPTER 1

Blair POV

"Be quiet!" he shushes me, his voice dripping with authority.

"Dad, please! Save me! Someone help!" I scream, my voice raw as I struggle beneath him. My body thrashes, desperate to escape, but he’s stronger. So much stronger. His rough hands press down harder, subduing me. Panic surges through my veins, but before I can cry out again, he gags me, shoving a balled-up sock into my mouth. The taste is foul, the pressure suffocating. Tears blur my vision.

"This will be quick. You’re only making it harder for yourself. Struggling won’t get you anywhere," he murmurs, his breath hot against my skin. His grip tightens, his weight pressing into me.

I shake my head violently, pleading with my eyes.

"Hmm!" I mumble, my voice barely a whisper around the gag. Please.

"No one can save you now. Now hush, let me do what I have to do." His fingers wrap around my wrists, yanking them above my head, binding them together with something coarse. A belt? Rope? I can’t tell.

His lips descend to my neck. A trail of unwanted kisses. A silent scream builds inside me, clawing at my throat, but I know better than to let it out. No one is coming. No one ever does.

I go still. My body gives up before my mind does. And then—

Beep… Beep… Beep.

My eyes snap open, the high-pitched ringing of my alarm pulling me from the nightmare that has haunted me since I was ten. My chest heaves, my body drenched in sweat. I blink against the darkness of my room, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Beep… Beep… Beep.

I groan softly, forcing myself upright. My fingers fumble for the alarm clock, silencing it with a sharp click. My hands tremble as I push my damp hair from my face.

Same nightmare. Same suffocating dread. It never changes.

I peel off my sticky clothes, wrapping a towel around my body. The cold air prickles against my skin, grounding me in reality. My feet move automatically toward the bathroom. The sound of water running fills the silence, but the lingering sensation of his touch still clings to me. I scrub my skin harder than necessary, as if I can wash away memories.

When I step out, my clothes are already laid out for the day. My dark hair—Dad’s hair—is still damp as I face the mirror. I stare at my reflection, at the familiar ocean-blue eyes that don’t belong to me. They belong to him.

I blow-dry my hair, the hum of the machine a temporary distraction from my thoughts. When I’m done, I pull on a Nike blue crop top and a black high-waist skirt that ends way above my knee. I tug an oversized grey hoodie over it, letting it drape down to nearly conceal my entire outfit. A pair of black Nike high-top sneakers complete the look. I pull my hair into a sleek bun, securing it beneath the hood, and apply a deep shade of blood-red lipstick.

Downstairs, the scent of pancakes and syrup fills the air.

"Sweetie, breakfast is ready," my mom—Caroline—calls out. She must’ve heard me coming down.

She has been trying to fix up our relationship since dad died and it's already too late, she made her choice.

"No, thank you," I reply, my voice devoid of emotion.

"Would you like a ride to school?" She tries again, her voice hesitant.

I grab an apple from the table, biting into it sharply. "No." A pause. "I’ve told you to stop acting like you care. It’s too late now." The last words come out in a whisper, but I know she hears them.

Her eyes soften, but I don’t wait for another excuse.

I grab my skateboard—Dad’s last gift to me—and slam the door behind me.

The cold air brushes against my skin as I skate down the road, my hoodie shielding me from the world. I let the wind rush past, wishing it could carry away the weight in my chest. I wish I didn’t feel so broken. I wish my dad—

Humph!

I hit the pavement hard, the impact jolting through my body. My skateboard skitters across the road. A sleek black car screeches to a stop inches away.

"Shit! You hit Shadow… You’re in trouble!" A girl’s voice wavers in panic from inside the car.

I push myself up, dusting off my clothes. My hood has fallen back, exposing my face. I meet the driver’s wide, horrified eyes.

"I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you!" he stammers.

I glare at him before yanking my hood back up, grabbing my skateboard, and skating away without another word.

"That was close…" someone mutters behind me. I smirk slightly before schooling my face back into its usual scowl as I enter the gate of hell—high school.

People part like the Red Sea when I walk through the halls.

You’re probably wondering why.

Simple. I don’t take shit from anyone. My motto? Karma is my best friend. If you mess with me, she’ll mess with you.

I’m a dancer. A cheerleader. But at night? I escape to the underground clubs where the music drowns out my demons.

Despite my reputation, I’m a straight-A student. Almost every teacher’s favorite. Almost.

I reach my locker, only to find a couple making out against it. I clear my throat.

They turn, their eyes widening when they see me.

"Shit!" The guy grabs the girl’s hand and pulls her away.

I shrug. I was just gonna say hi.

The warning bell rings. I grab my books, knowing I have chemistry first. I don’t like messing with that teacher. Not that it stops me.

The final bell rings just as I saunter into class.

"Sup, Teach," I say, my voice laced with boredom.

"You are late, Miss Carter," she states.

"That, I know," I reply, flipping my long hair as I head to my seat. Laughter erupts.

I wasn’t even trying to be funny.

"Would you be quiet!" I snap, and the class instantly silences.

I turn back to the teacher with a saccharine smile. "Please, continue."

Lunch comes faster than expected. I stroll into the cafeteria, and just like always, silence follows my entrance.

I walk to the front of the line, where everyone willingly steps aside to let me order first.

I smirk. Perks of being feared.

I grab my food and sit alone at my usual spot—the last corner of the cafeteria.

Laughter echoes around me, conversations buzzing in the background. My gaze drifts to the empty seat beside me. I don’t need anyone.

I take a bite of my burger, relishing the silence.

This is the life.

Or so I tell myself.