Page 29 of The Storm

But it’s happening because of me.

Because I want it to.

Because I want to see how far he’ll go.

How far I can push before he snaps.

I watch all of it with slow satisfaction.

It’s not happiness. Not exactly joy, or triumph.

Not pleasure or warmth.

Just a dark, grim click inside my chest.

I can do this to you. I can make your pulse jump. I can make you hate the way you react to me.

It doesn’t feel good. But it feels powerful. It feels like taking some control back from the way his existence has messed up my life.

It’s a game, and I will win.

Because I’m not stepping back.

And if it all grows out of control?

At least I know I struck the match.

EIGHT

INDY

The ringing jerksme out of sleep. For a second I’m so disoriented that I have no idea where I am, and my heart pounds so harshly that it feels uncomfortable.

The noise starts up again, my phone vibrating on the nightstand.

I rub my face and squint at the alarm clock. It’s almost midnight.

I swear under my breath and reach for the phone, knocking a textbook on the floor in the process.

“Hello?” My voice is raspy from sleep and speaking makes me yawn.

“Go!” My sister’s exuberant voice is so loud in my ear that I wince and pull the phone a few inches away.

I flop back down on the bed with a groan.

“I’m sleeping, Dia.”

She giggles. “Do you remember when you said I could call you if I’m in trouble? Any time? Anywhere? And I wouldn’t get in trouble?”

“That was Mom.”

“I can’t call Mom. I’ll get in trouble.”

“I thought you said you were already in trouble,” I point out.

“Which is why I need your help. And before you say no, remember that I’m your only sister.Twinsister. These bonds are for life, you know.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”