Chapter 16. Dark Secret

BELLE

I was practically dragging my feet as I walked down the sidewalk back to my apartment once my shift was finally over, almost completely overtaken by exhaustion.

My eyes drooped, and my body ached. I needed sleep more than anything, but who knew if I would be getting any.

Guilt ate at me over how things had gone down with Liam earlier. After all, he was just trying to be a good friend, right? He was trying to look out for me.

I just hated that he had assumed his friends and I wouldn’t get along. Was I that horrible to be around?

It was cold out, and the June air was nipping at my bare legs, forcing me to pull my jacket tighter around me.

I actually wished that I had Liam’s warm car to ride in rather than walking home alone in the dark. Too bad I had ruined everything.

I felt strange. Something was off. Dull tingles were shooting up the back of my neck, and I had the odd feeling that I was being watched.

But I shook it off, convinc