Chapter 2

Who would have expected him to run back home after a month and tell our parents that I was the corrupting influence who dragged him out with me when I ran away?

In response, my parents locked me in a small storeroom for a month.

I thought that was the worst of his behavior. But this time? This time he managed to sic a murderer on me. Me, the one who cooked for him and took care of him when he refused to find a job after graduating from college. Me.

And this was my reward?

I clenched my fist, bitterness tightening my chest.

The corridor remained silent. I slipped out my phone and called Chad.

The live comments flooded the screen.

[What's he doing? Is he going to call his brother and warn him?]

[You can't even save yourself. Stop wasting time on him and save yourself!]

[You're not Naruto. You can't Talk No Jutsu this guy into becoming good. No wonder he's died so many times before. He's too dumb to live.]

[No. Do society a favor and let that asshole die. The world will thank you.]

The glow from my screen washed over the metal handrails and the grated floor beneath my feet.

Chad picked up almost at once.

"Your food's here. Open up," I said flatly.

"Shit!" He was breathing hard, panic bleeding through the line. "Okay, okay. I admit it. I didn't order anything. But Teddy won't leave me alone. He said he won't. So can you just help me this one time? He won't hurt you."

He rushed on without waiting for my response. "Just talk him down from this toxic revenge crap, all right? Tell him I'll pay back all the scholarship money I used. Every cent."

He added, "Mom and Dad made you promise, remember? You're supposed to protect me. You're my older brother, J."

I clenched my jaw. Before I could answer, he hung up, as if afraid of what I might say.

That told me everything. Chad knew exactly what was happening, including how much danger I was in. This had been part of his plan all along.

The comments kept coming.

[How is this guy even human? Who says that?]

[He's beyond shameless. He's unhinged. Who sends his injured older brother to face an angry killer alone? That's practically aiding murder.]

[If you survive this, disown Chad and get as far away from him as possible.]

I drew a slow breath. I had to get out of this apartment if I wanted to live. Staying here was a death sentence. Teddy would find me sooner or later.

I shifted my weight and moved toward the emergency staircase, careful despite the pain in my injured foot.

Without warning, the light above the fire escape flared on.

The sudden brightness blinded me.

My heart lurched. The light threw my shadow across the landing. Anyone looking up would see a clear human silhouette. Teddy would know exactly where I was.

The footsteps I had dreaded returned. They grew louder with each step as Teddy headed straight toward me.

I had no time to think. I ran down the stairs, ignoring the sharp protest from my injured foot.

Seconds later, the fire door slammed shut above me. Teddy was here. He was right behind me.

I dragged my foot as I fled. With shaking hands, I called Mom and begged for help.