Chapter 7

I hit the sidewalk that leads home, and each sound my sneakers make creates an echo along the pavement. Power, adrenaline, or whatever it is charging through me as I dare to race with the wind.

Running is my flow, the way my spirit always chooses to fly. It's my freedom, the only true moment my demon stays at a distance, a little moment of unchained happiness.

A certain warmness embodies me as soon as the blue roof of my house stands out to me in the distance, the rays of the sun hitting my window almost reflecting on the chain around my neck.

I am making a diversion toward my porch when something cold envelopes me, shooting invisible and chilling tingles up my bones.

"Rio fucking Tetrazzinni!" I screech, halting in my steps to direct a vicious glare at the boy grinning triumphantly, his sharp blue eyes dancing with mischief.

I'm going to kill him.

"Sorry," he says, the corner of his lips lifting into a smirk, "Didn't see you there, DD."

I don't know why but my next-door neighbor, Ri