Last Christmas (Private 0.60)

been as scared as she was right now.

164

BLOOD

***"Ariana!" Thomas's strained voice echoed in the darkness. No longer comforting, it radiated cold, hard

fear.

The frigid air burned her lungs as she hurried toward him. He was slumped against the tree, deflated, his eyes

screwed shut. The last bit of color had slipped from his cheeks.

"Someone was ... There was ..."

Ariana heaved, collapsing in the snow next to him. She buried her face in Thomas's jacket, inhaling his scent.

What she wanted more than anything was his protection. But she knew, deep down, that couldn't keep her

safe anymore. He was too weak. And just as afraid as she was.

He slipped his fingers into her hair. "You're okay," he murmured quietly. "You're okay."

She pulled away, wiping the snow from her face with the back of her sleeve. "Someone was in there with

me," she managed. "In your room. Waiting for me."

165

"What?" Thomas was shocked-frightened. "Did you see them?"

She shook her head. "It was dark, and he was behind me, and I couldn't-" Her breath was shallow, and she

was starting to get dizzy. She closed her eyes, her voice cracking. "I'm sorry."

She decided not to tell him about the picture. Not yet. Not until she could figure out what to do.

"It's okay," he repeated. "We'll hide out in Drake for a while. Warm up until we can decide what to do next."

"Thomas, we can't," she protested. "Someone will see us."

But even as the words left her mouth, she knew that Thomas was right. He was hurt, and they couldn't stay

exposed like this for much longer. Unless they wanted to make the long trek back to Billings and Mrs.

Lattimer's apartment-which would be impossible with Thomas in his present condition-it would have to be

Drake. It was the only heated dorm on campus. Breaking in was a risk they would have to take.

"We'll go in through the basement," he decided. "But I've gotta take a couple of those pills first." He pulled

his hand from her face as she dug through her pocket for the prescription bottle.

"Here." She shook several pills from the bottle into her palm.

He took the pills with his other hand and popped them in his mouth, tilting

his head back and swallowing.