Chapter 7

[Valerie]

Luck had been on my side, for the most part. After making the seemingly never-ending walk back to Pleasant Hill, I forced back the anxiety that was threatening to eat me up alive, and went home.

“Mom.” I breathed in relief when Edith opened the door, only to find surprise on her face.

“Honey! What are you doing here? You should be at college.”

I took the feeble hug she gave me and relished in her warmth for that moment, and walked into the house on feet that were burning and legs that felt numb after my journey on foot. I held the kitbag tighter around my shoulder so Edith wouldn’t be completely shocked by the blood-stained blanket. I was already thankful enough that she didn’t seem to know about anything that had happened. I didn’t need her to worry.

“I’ll go back to college tomorrow. I just need to rest.”

“Of course baby!” my adopted mom fussed over me, touching my arms, my face, as if inspecting me. “Did you get hurt? Did that Garret hurt you again?”

“No mom!” I shrugged a