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Chapter 1

WINTER

The Past - 13 Years Old

“Winter,” Mom calls from the other side of the store, “what do you think of this one?”

Dropping the beanie I was looking at, I walk closer to Mo up “It’s pink”

Her lips curve into a warm smile “You love pink”

“Not anylance over the selection until I find a black one “I like this one more”

Mo to start wearing only black now that you’re a teenager”

I shrug as I reirlie Black will tell the other kids not to mess with me”

Mohtly “Black it is then”

We spend the next hour shopping for rays, and whites, avoiding any other color, which Mom’s not too happy about

To to be perfect I ht only be thirteen, but even I know first ie et for bullies, so I have to do everything I can to show the other girls attending the school I’m not to be messed with

While one of our guards takes the bags to the car, Mom wraps an arm around my shoulders “Do you want to stop for lunch or head home?”

Thinking of et pizza to take home so Daddy and Sean can have some as well”

“Good idea,” Mo me toward a Pizza Hut

Moetable suprea meaty for Dad and Sean

Once our order is ready, one of the guards, Patrick, carries the boxes As we leave thelance up at Mom and ask, “Will you help me pack?”

Morins down at me “Of course”

Walking toward the car, our guards fan out around us It’s sootten so used to I hardly notice them

“Down!” I hear Cillian shout, but before we’re able to unfire erupts around us

Patrick drops the pizza to the ground and yanks his gun out He reaches for Moins to move in front of her, bullets spray over us Three hit Patrick, and my eyes widen as my mouth drops open in a scream