HEIR OF PAIN
He dropped his bag with a soft thud on the bench and pulled out a book, opening it in front of him.
His stomach growled as he pressed a hand against it, wincing. He had been starved again. And he knew, without doubt, that there was little chance of getting anything decent when he returned tonight.
He sighed again, louder this time, and raised the book to his face, pretending to focus. The lines blurred. Hunger had a way of stealing focus from even the simplest words.
Then a shriek cut through the hallway.
“Ohhh my God!” a girl screamed, so sharp and full of excitement that Arden’s head turned before he could stop himself.