Page 1 of Everything After

Chapter One

Sierra

I have my hand over my mouth as my body trembles beneath the house. Rocks dig into the fresh bruises along my ribs while the damp earth clings to my clothing. Every shallow breath sends pain blooming through my chest. I’m desperate to keep the sob building in my throat from escaping.

“Sierra?” Anthony’s voice drifts through the floorboards above me. “Come on out now, Sierra.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, praying to God he doesn’t find me this time. If I don’t move, I don’t breathe. I don’t make a sound. Maybe…

Just maybe…

I can be free.

Seconds turn to minutes, and eventually, he stops pacing. He stops calling my name. Maybe the alcohol has finally knocked him out. I don't know how much time passes before I finally force myself to move. Carefully, I crawl out from beneath the house.

I started hiding things down here days ago. My backpack waits where I shoved it beneath the insulation, already packed with a few changes of clothes and the friendship bracelet I made as a kid. That's all I'm taking with me.

Anthony installed floodlights around the property that trigger movement notifications on his phone. I've spent weeks studying their blind spots, memorizing every safe step. I never actually believed I'd get the chance to use them.

Keeping my back pressed against the house, I inch toward the corner. My pulse pounds so hard I'm sure the whole damn neighborhood can hear it.

One more step.

Then another.

The moment I clear the corner, I run. One of the floodlights flickers on, and pain explodes through my body, protesting every stride, but I don't stop. I don't have shoes. I don't have a plan beyond getting away. I don't have anything except the clothes on my back, a small backpack, and hope. When I reach the main road, I look both ways before darting across and disappearing into the field.

By the time I reach the corner store, I go around back and bring myself down to sit before I dig my burner phone out of my bag. I am out of breath, but I think that is the panic settling in more than it is my two-mile run. I’ve been preparing for this escape for long enough that the run shouldn’t feel this taxing on me.

I dial my brother’s number first. It’s two in the morning, but I know he will come get me. It rings once, twice, three times, and then voicemail. He doesn’t know this number, so of course he ignored it. I try once more before moving on. My finger hovers over the button to call my father, but I know what will happen. He will take one look at me, and then there will be a murder trial. He will fucking kill Anthony.

I pivot at the last second and select another number. Someone I know who would go through hell and back for me. Beckett Turner.

It rings over and over again, but then finally, I can breathe a little easier. “Hello?” Beckett grunts.

“Bex,” I whimper.

“Sierra?” he says, suddenly wide awake. “What’s wrong?”

“Can you come get me?” I ask tearfully. “I know it’s late. I’m so sorry. It’s just, I called Mason, but he didn’t answer. Dad will go to jail, and I don’t have anyone else to…”

“Where are you?” he asks.

“The corner store on old Highway 15,” I say. “I’m hiding behind it.”

“Are you safe?” he asks. I can hear a door shut. He’s coming. I just have to hang on just a little longer.

“Y-Yeah. I think so,” I sniff. “I ran away. I don’t know if he knows I am gone.”

“I’m coming, Sia,” he says before his bike roars to life. “Stay on the line, okay? I have headphones in so I can hear you.”

“O-Okay,” I whisper. “What if he finds me?”

“Just keep quiet. I’m right here, okay?” he says. His voice is rough, but his words are soft. He’s always been a source of comfort for me.

Mason and Beckett are best friends. They’ve been inseparable since they were born. Our fathers built Turner Customs together, and our mothers are childhood best friends. I just know my return will be the talk of the town, too. I don’t like being the target of small-town gossip, but maybe being the center of attention will keep me alive.

It’s been months since they spoke to me last, and years since they’ve seen me. Anthony was so damn good at isolating me that I didn’t even realize I had no one left until walking away was life or death.