Chapter 22: An Impossible Mission
The moment Kieran turned his back, I knew what I had to do. I had less than twenty-four hours to do the impossible, unite the ferals. Not just a few. All of them.
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And if I failed, the girl who died would remain nothing more than a footnote, another forgotten body in a system built to crush people like us.
The weight of it pressed heavily on my chest as I left the courtyard. My footsteps were slow, mind racing with thoughts. I was still clutching the torn piece of fabric in my pocket like it was a lifeline.
In class, I couldn’t concentrate. Words blurred on the board, and I caught none of the lectures. My mind was consumed by Kieran’s challenge. By the vision of that girl’s blood. By the broken silence that still rang in my ears.
When the final bell rang, I darted out of class like someone lit fire beneath my feet.
Adrian was waiting outside near the lockers. As usual, arms folded, face unreadable.
"You ready for cleaning?" he asked.
I hesitated. "Adrian, I need a favor."
His brow lifted, skeptical. "You? Asking for favors now?"
"Please," I said, urgency creeping into my voice. "I can’t do cleaning duty this time. Not today."
"What’s so important?"
"I can’t explain. Not yet. But please, just cover for me this once."