Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Chapter 13

That night. I didn’t go home. I curled up on a hospital bench to sleep through the night.

The next day when I woke up, I was burning up with a fever.

My phone was silent the whole night; Dexter didn’t call even once.

“Ryder…” I called him from the bench. “About that study abroad thing. I’ve made up my mind.”

“Phoebe, do you have a cold?” Ryder’s voice came through, laced with concern.

“Yeah, got caught in the rain yesterday. Feeling a bit under the weather today.”

“Where are you? I’ll drop off some cold medicine,” Ryder was worried.

“If I hand in the application form today, how soon can I leave the country?” I asked with a sense of urgency in my voice.

At that time, I had a premonition that I might not survive if I didn’t leave.

I wanted to live, to get as far away from Dexter as possible.

As long as I left, it would all be over.

“If you apply now, you can get an acceptance letter in two months. I’ll ask the professor to expedite it. Once you get the notice, I’ll buy your plane ticket,” Ryder said, his voice laced with concern. “Is the cold serious? Should I come get you?”

“No need, Ryder… I’m at the hospital. Thank you.”

to leave Sea City forever, escape this place

hanging up, I left

suddenly felt lost, unsure where to go. My parents had died in a car accident, the house was sold, and the death compensation was gone to debts. Apart from

didn’t even know where home

found a corner to sit down, leaning against the wall

don’t know how long I slept, but when I woke up, I found a jacket covering me. Although worn. it was clearly

the

up, I noticed two plastic–wrapped muffins

kind soul must

Homeless?

seemed about

my food, and use my stuff. So,

no difference.

jacket and placed it with

soul returned, they

few steps, then turned around at a rustling noise to see a tall,

much thought, I walked straight out

to the Fitzgerald

She hasn’t come back? She didn’t come home all night,” Hailey asked. worry etching her

she can’t be dead, can

watching Dexter’s impatient demeanor, and

The man says his name is Ryder, your

hesitated for a moment,