Page 82

I began kicking them with renewed fervor.

A scream pierced the air.

That was me.

I was shrieking, yelling for help.

“BENJI!”

“Shit. Shut her up.”

“Who’s Benji?”

“CASSIAN!”

Slap!

I doubled over again, spitting blood back at them.

“Gross.”

“Guys,” one of the girls started to say, her voice changing. Some fear creeping in. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this.”

“Shut it, Baunner.”

Baunner. That was Melanie Baunner. One of Claudia’s friends.

“Noah!”

I was fully wrestling against them now. They were trying to pin me down. One girl was trying to unbutton my jeans.

“Stop moving. Jesus.” One of the girls was panting.

“Who’s Noah?” Claudia griped. “More guys she’s fucking?”

I arched my back, letting out one last blood-curdling scream before I got a foot free from whoever was sitting on me and slam! I heaved it back and kicked out as hard as I could muster.

Thud.

“Oh, fuck! The bitch got me.”

One of the girls started giggling. “I think she broke your nose.”

“Fuck off, Stephanie.”

Stephanie Clemmons. Another of Claudia’s group.

I kicked her again, and whipped around, throwing my arms at anyone who was moving. I got someone. They cried out, disappearing completely. “Shit! She got my mouth. I’m going to have a fat lip.”

Suddenly, the air felt heavier. Colder.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

I heard a tiny voice ask, in a menacing growl, “Cole?”

It was Benji, but I couldn’t see him. My eyes were swollen shut. “Benji.” I started crying. “Stop them.”

“Oh, shit!” Noah. “Benji—no.”