THE LIE
I screamed at the top of my lungs.
I scrambled to my feet, ready to run again, but before I could get far, he grabbed me by the arms, dragging me roughly toward Stepmom, Dongila, and Akachi.
As soon as we reached them, Stepmom slapped me so hard across the face that stars exploded in my vision.
“You think you're smart, don’t you?” she sneered. “What you don’t realize is that I’m always a step ahead of you. Stupid girl.”
“Chief has changed his mind,” the burly man gripping me said. “He’s ordered that we bring her to him tonight.”