14. Phoebe

All hell broke loose when Sawyer dropped to the floor.

I’ve never seen him look weak before. In my mind he’s an immovable mountain. The one others kneeled before. The icy cold colour of his hair is at odds with the warmth that can flicker in his blue eyes. When he wants to be warm anyway.

But there he was, shaking, gritting his teeth crumpled on his knees. Ripping the armour from his chest, fighting for breath.

“HAYDEN QUICK! It’s Sawyer! Help!” leaving marks in the wooden door of his office.

Suddenly I found myself sprinting after the tattooed Dean of the Academy. By the time I caught up, Wren’s office door had slammed shut, leaving me alone in the grey stone corridor.

Unable to do anything but wait and attempt to decipher the muffled noises.

Before Sawyer fell, I was in deep trouble. It felt as though the ground itself was crumbling away, leaving me standing on one black floor tile. Secrets and lies. That’s all he associates with me now.

I’m not supposed to care. No