Unraveling You 03 Awakening You Read Online Free PDF Page B

realized she was right. One day, they’ll find out about us, and I’ll have to face my unworthiness. Deep down, I’ve always known her parents weren’t going to be thrilled about the messed up guy next door dating their cheery, upbeat daughter. I was ruined the moment I was chained up in that house. Those days spent locked under that roof changed me, fucked me up, poisoned my skin with marks that will never go away.
     
    To top off the declining night, I ended up sleepwalking to the front lawn, which was not only terrifying as hell, but also extremely dangerous, all things considering.
     
    I have no memory of what happened until the point when Lyric woke me up, yet the moment Lila and Ethan return home the next afternoon, they expect me to recount the details to them.
     
    After Kale, Everson, and Fiona are set up at the table, doing their homework, the three of us sit down in the living room with cups of coffee and cookies because Lila believes sugar eases tense situations.
     
    “I really can’t tell you too much about what happened.” I pick at a loose thread in the knee of my jeans. “All I can remember is waking up and seeing Lyric.”
     
Lyric, poor Lyric.
     
Worried out of her mind
     
As she stared into my eyes
     
And tried to read what was hidden in my mind.
     
What would she see if she broke through the lock?
     
What I witnessed all those days I was trapped in the dark?
     
I wish she never had to see that side of me.
     
Wish. Wish. Wish.
     
Wish I could be the guy she deserves,
     
The one who touches her with everything,
     
Gives her everything,
     
Could give her undying love.
     
    “What about the car?” Lila brings the brim of a coffee mug to her mouth and sips. She’s been pretending to be calm, but under the surface, I can tell she’s frightened about the ordeal.
     
    “I didn’t really notice it.” I stuff the rest of the cookie into my mouth then wipe my hands off. “Lyric did.”
     
    “Lyric said you were staring at it.” Ethan threads his fingers through Lila’s to comfort her. “And then it drove away the moment you got into the house.”
     
    “If that’s what she said, then I’m sure it happened that way.” I lift my shoulder and shrug, unsure of what they want me to say. “I swear, if I knew more, I’d tell you, but I’m just as confused as you.” And terrified out of my mind.
     
    I’ll never admit that aloud, though, because then they’ll only worry about me more.
     
    I’ve lived with the Gregorys for over two years now, and they’re some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Always wanting to keep me safe. Always trying to protect me.
     
    “We know you’d tell us if you could remember,” Lila says, setting the cup of coffee down on the table. “I just think what we really want to make sure of is that you’re okay. I know it’s got to be hard, being stalked by these people and always worrying if . . .” She smashes her lips together as she emotionally tears up.
     
    The clock ticks in the background. Out the window, the sun is shining across the clear blue sky, cars zip up and down the street. A neighbor is shouting at a dog, and a lady with bright red hair is strolling down the sidewalk. Her hair reminds me of blood and almost throws me back into a memory of when I ran into that house. I almost let the images through, because I want to help my sister, want to remember who the people were that took us. But my body constricts, forcing the images to fade away.
     
    “I’m not sure what you want me to say other than I’m fine.” I blink my attention away from the window, pick up my cup of coffee, and gulp down the hot drink.
     
    “Okay.” Lila casts a glance at Ethan. “Still, it has to be really, really stressful, especially when we don’t know if they’re going to show up again.”
     
    She seems fairly adamant about pointing out the danger of the situation, and I’m not sure why. She knows I understand, so there has to be some other