Chapter 3

I ran all the way out of Uncle Pete's neighborhood before stopping at a street corner.

The autumn wind slipped beneath my collar. Sweat soaked into the welts across my back, leaving them burning and numb at the same time.

I searched every pocket. All I had was my phone with its shattered screen and a handful of loose change. Standing beneath the bus stop sign, I realized I couldn't even escape properly.

My phone wouldn't stop buzzing. Every notification was another voice message from Mom.

"Avery, where the hell are you? You really lost your damn mind, humiliating me in front of everyone today, didn't you? If you don't come home today, it'll be your last chance!"

The last message was different mainly because her voice turned gentle.

"Ave, I'm just worried about you. You're emotionally unstable. It's dangerous being out there by yourself. Come home and take your medicine, okay?"

I stared at the last voice message, my fingers stiff from the cold.

Mom was always like this. She called me crazy in front of everyone, yet in private, she pretended to be a sensible mother.

I switched off my phone. At last, the world became quiet.

I spent the night curled up inside a children's slide and stayed there until morning. Frankly, I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Tangy lying beside the trash bin.

Would he wait for me? Would he think I had abandoned him?

When daylight broke, I spent the last of my money on a ticket for an old, long-distance bus back to campus. The bus smelled of sweat. I leaned my head against the window and watched the city slowly disappear behind me.

I told myself that everything would be okay once I got back to campus. As long as I didn't go home, I could keep living.

By the time I reached the campus entrance, the sky was pitch black. I followed a few students inside, stepping back into what felt like the normal world.

The moment I arrived at my dorm building, however, something felt off. Students passing by would slow down when they saw me.

"That's her, right?"

"I heard she's mentally unstable."

"I thought she'd taken a leave of absence. Why is she back?"

I froze where I stood.

My roommate, Gia Miller, came out of the building. When she saw me, all the color drained from her face. "Avery? What are you doing back?"

I forced a smile. "For class?"

She didn't come closer. Instead, she silently held out her phone.

The screen showed our year's group chat. Mom had used my photo as her profile picture and posted a long message.

"Hello, everyone. This is Avery Cooper's mother. I'm sorry for disturbing everyone.

"Avery has had severe emotional problems since childhood, and her condition has recently worsened. During the Independence Day holiday, she stole money from home, smashed things, and even slashed her father with a knife.

"We wanted her to get treatment, but she ran away in the middle of the night and returned to campus. She's now showing violent tendencies. Please do not approach her. If you see her, contact her counselor or campus security immediately."

Below the message was a photo of Dad's arm wrapped in bandages. I knew exactly where that injury had come from. He had cut himself on a broken piece of porcelain after overturning the dishes at Uncle Pete's house.

The group chat was flooded with reactions. One asked, "Is this for real?"

Mom replied, "I don't wish to ruin my own daughter, but she's beyond my control now. As her mother, all I want is for everyone to stay safe."

I stared at those words as my vision began to blur.

Mom hadn't come looking for me. Instead, she had come to assassinate my willpower when I least expected it. She destroyed the last sanctuary I had left.

"Avery!"

My counselor, Mark Benson, came running over with two security guards. They stopped about six feet away.

Mark raised both hands in a calming gesture, watching me cautiously as he edged closer. "Relax. Stay where you are."

"Mr. Benson, I'm fine," I said, my voice echoing in my own head. "And I've never hurt anyone."

He sighed. "Your mother has told me everything. We have the responsibility to protect the other students. Why don't you come with us to the office, and we can talk?"

One of the security guards stepped forward, while the students around us instinctively retreated.

I thought I had escaped from home, but somehow, Mom stationed a new cage on my campus.