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.

sly little grin. "Mr. Simmons

frowning. "This late? Why would Mr. Simmons want to see you? He's scary. Aren't

Carli. I'll be back soon,"

the youngest-and the one everyone picked on. Layna

with you," Carli said, swinging her

Layna whispered, "Okay."

that might finally

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

knew most of them only copied their homework or scribbled something nonsense he still graded it carefully, always adding comments in the

in the hallway, then she

face stern. "Layna, why aren't you in bed? What are you

stepped in, her expression as sweet as ever. "Mr. Simmons, I want to go

things around. Your family left you here for a reason, and it's my job to make sure you're ready to go back. Honestly, he could never quite figure this girl out. She looked so innocent, but

when they first got here-fighting, begging to go home, causing trouble just to get attention. But not Layna.

the first time she'd

his skin crawl.

and suddenly smiled—a strange, unsettling smile. “Mr. Simmons,