I Hope,” He Replies Softly, “to Get

I Have To Force A Smile Off My Face As I Sit Limply In My Seat... Then, Just As I'm Congratulating Myself For Such A Stellar Plan.

You Threw Everything Away."i Bring A Hand Up To Touch Her Face,to Wipe The Rain From Her Eyelashes."your Entire Life-your Beliefs...why Would You Do That For Me?" June Has Never Looked More Beautiful Than She Does Now,unadorned And Honest,vulnerable Yet Invincible.when Lightning Streaks Over The Sky,her Dark Eyes Shine Like Gold."because You Were Right,"she Whispers."about All Of It.

Be True To Yourself. But That's Something Everyone Says And No One Means. No One Wants You To Be Yourself. They Want You To Be The Version Of Yourself That They Like.

You Should Have Taken Me With You," I Whisper To Him. Then I Lean My Head Against His And Begin To Cry. In My Mind, I Make A Silent Promise To My Brother's Killer. I Will Hunt You Down. I Will Scour The Streets Of Los Angeles For You. Search Every Street In The Republic If I Have To. I Will Trick You And Deceive You, Lie, Cheat And Steal To Find You, Tempt You Out Of Your Hiding Place, And Chase You Until You Have Nowhere Else To Run. I Make You This Promise: Your Life Is Mine.

So, Tell Me,” He Whispers. “how Fast Did You Climb Those Fourteen Stories?” Thomas Makes A Disapproving Sound In His Throat, But I Break Into A Grin. Storm’s Past. Metias Loves Me Again. “six Minutes,” I Whisper Back To My Brother. “and Forty-four Seconds. How Do You Like That?” “that Must Be Some Sort Of Record. Not That, You Know, You’re Supposed To Do It.