Verum (The Nocte Trilogy 2)

But to keep calm,

I replay the facts in my head.

My name is Calla Price.

I’m eighteen years old, and I’m half of a whole.

My other half, my twin brother, my Finn, is crazy.

Finn is dead.

My mother is dead.

My father is dead.

Dare’s mother is dead.

I’ve spent every summer at Whitley my entire life.

I’ve loved Dare since I was small.

I’ve been floating in a sea of insanity, and I can’t wake up.

I can’t wake up.

Dare is my lifeline.

He’s still here.

I focus every ounce of strength I have, trying to force my hand into gripping his, the hands that I love so much, the hand that has held mine for so long.

But I’m helpless.

I’m weak.

Death takes another step, but I can’t scream.

It’s when he touches Dare that I bolster my strength.

He puts his hand on Dare’s shoulder,

And I can’t take that.

Don’t touch Dare, I want to scream. You took his mother, but you’re not taking him! He’s innocentHe’sInnocentHe’sInnocent!

But his fingers drum on Dare’s skin,

And everything in me boils,

And screams.

And somehow,

Some way,

I harness my energy,

And my finger twitches.