Page 37 of Shattered By the Currents

You’re safe, Raven. Just breathe.

It didn’t help that she’d barely been sleeping. And when she did sleep, it was riddled with nightmares. Nightmares that had her body jerking awake. Nightmares that had rolled her off the narrow couch more than once.

She looked at the envelope in her hand.

Was it from Xander? Of course it was. There was only one person who’d already sent something for Raven to her parents’ address, and that was him.

She wasn’t opening it. Whatever it was, it wouldn’t be good. It would scare her and then he’d win. She couldn’t let him win.

She threw it onto the passenger seat and started her engine, a yawn cracking her jaw. Man, she needed sleep. And notthe broken, uncomfortable kind. She needed eight hours of uninterrupted rest.

She was halfway back to the community center when thick smoke billowed from under her hood.

No.

For a few seconds, she let denial keep her driving. Maybe it would pass. Maybe it was nothing.

The smoke thickened, and reality was like a rock in her belly—it wasn’t going anywhere.

No, no, no. This was the last thing she needed.

She pulled over and immediately slammed her fist against the wheel. Tears pressed against her eyes, but she blinked them back. She would not cry.

But God, she wanted to. Everything was a mess and nothing was getting better. Her parents, her living situation, Xander.

She tipped her head back and scrunched her eyes closed…and dammit, a tear escaped.

For a few seconds, she let the hopelessness sit on her chest like a weight, pressing her down. Five more seconds, that was all she gave herself. Then she straightened, refusing to let another moment pass where she felt sorry for herself.

Her gaze caught on her phone, and before she could think better of it, she sent a text to the only person she felt she could ask for help.

Raven: Hey. Are you busy?

Three dots immediately appeared.

Connor: No. What do you need?

Raven: Any chance you could pick me up?

Connor: Where are you?

A wave of relief spilled through her body, making her feel almost lightheaded. She went into her map and sent him a pin of her location.

Connor: You’re on the side of the road?

Raven: My car broke down.

Connor: Coming now. Don’t move.

For some reason, just his kindness made her want to cry again. She’d been trying to do everything on her own for so long, but knowing she had help coming felt good.

She set the phone down and her gaze caught on the envelope.

Screw it. She grabbed it and tore it open.

A bank account statement. From the account she’d closed weeks ago. The account Xander had stolen from.

Xander had sent it to her. To taunt her.