The Bound Between Us

Chapter 995

Layna was unusually well-behaved today.

She sat quietly through class, and when the bell rang, she just rested her head on her desk, silent and still.

She didn't get involved in the other kids' mischievous plans-like dropping boogers into the teacher's mug, squirting glue on the chair, or rigging a bucket of water above the door. To Layna, those tricks were child's play.

At eight years old, Layna was far more calculating, and far colder, than anyone realized.

Some kids, people say, are just born with a streak of darkness. Maybe that was Layna.

The next day arrived in a blink.

That night, the temperature dropped, and as evening settled in, rain came pouring down in sheets.

In the dorm, Layna suddenly sat up in bed.

The girl in the bunk beside hers was startled awake by the thunder. Seeing Layna getting up, she asked, "Layna, where are you going? It's pouring outside."

There were four girls in the room; Layna was the youngest, and the oldest was twelve.

gave a sly little grin. "Mr.

"This late? Why would Mr. Simmons want

be back soon," Layna replied, her face all innocent and

rebellious. She was ten, and before Layna arrived, she'd been the youngest-and the one everyone picked on. Layna once stood up for her, and ever since, Carli was glued to her side, following her lead

go with you," Carli said,

Layna whispered, "Okay."

already had a plan—one that

to the school office, rain pounding against the windows. Mr. Simmons was on duty that night, unable to sleep, grading the

tough, and he could be, but he wanted the best for these kids. Even though he knew most of them only copied their homework or scribbled something nonsense he still graded it

hallway, then she pushed open the office door and

face stern. "Layna, why

stepped in, her expression as sweet as ever.

and it's my job to make sure you're ready to go back.

not Layna. She was so quiet and good, the staff even wondered if her

first time she'd ever

long it made his skin crawl. He

locked eyes with him, and suddenly smiled—a