Brandon's POV
The time was 12:50.
The meeting was at 1:00.
I pulled out my phone, my thumb unsteady as I navigated through the map. Mr. Pat's house was at least 15 to 20 minutes away from here. I had only ten minutes left. A miserable fleeting 10 minutes.
I inhaled, deep and shaky, then exhaled through my nose like I could breathe away the panic burning a hole inside me. My mind screamed for me to move. To run. You need to leave now Brandon.
I shoved the phone into my pocket and began searching for the exit. Every step felt like sand filling my shoes, slowing me down. My heart thudded against my ribs like it was trying to break free.
I wasn't going to risk it again. I'd already lost too much time. As much as I wanted to warn Chloe about Bob. She just got to figure things out on her own now, I guess. She didn't need me. I couldn't be the idiot who let my entire future fall apart because I wanted to help someone.
Just as I turned the corner, a voice sliced through the air.
