Project: Killer (Project Series Book 1) by J.L. Beck Read Free Book Online Page A

people. Those who called themselves my friends while talking behind my back, and those who never went out of their way to care about the girl who was being bullied.
    “Maggie’s a fatty…” They taunted. The tears escaped my eyes without warning as I pounded down the hallway. I could hear their laughter and footsteps following me.
    “Why’re you running, Maggie? Are you trying to lose some weight?” Blake, who was Roger’s best friend, yelled down the hall.
    You’re not fat, Maggie. These people are just fucking stupid. I had to tell myself that over and over again. Yet, I was running. I was running from the bullies while telling myself that none of it were true. Why was that?
    “Are you crying yet?” Blake’s voice entered my mind. It was cold, and it was directly behind me. As I turned around, I caught a glimpse of the steel like anger in his eyes. I had never done anything to him. I had hardly ever spoken a word to him.
    “Just leave me alone,” I gasped out. My chest was filled to the brim with sadness. The agony of it all weighed heavily upon me.
    “Leave you alone?” He smirked. “What’s the fun in that?”
    His steps grew closer and closer until he was a foot away. I squeezed my eyes shut, holding them closed. I could make them go away. I could make all the hate and sadness in the world go away.
    “Open your eyes, fatty. I have a surprise for you.” I could make it stop. I could make the pain go away.
    “OPEN. YOUR. EYES,” he screamed in my face. I could feel his saliva on my cheek, but I didn’t move so much as an inch. I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. I could feel his rage, yet I still kept my eyes closed.
    “You little fucking bitch.” His hand came up to my face, and I could feel the rush of air as the sting of his fist fell upon my face. More tears escape my eyes, but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t even murmur in pain. On the inside, I was screaming, begging him to leave me alone.
    “Don’t touch her.” Diesel’s voice met my ears. My eyes popped open, and I looked up. The look on his face said he had seen the whole thing.
    “Or what, cripple?” Blake goaded him. I was used to being the one who stuck up for him. It was always me carrying the weight of helping him. He didn’t deserve to be treated like this. Neither did I, but that’s what I got for being there for him.
    “You think I’m crippled? You think I can’t help myself?” Every step Diesel took and every word from his mouth came with a purpose.
    “I don’t think…” Blake snorted. “I know.” Those were the last words that came from his mouth. I watched as Diesel’s fist raised over and over again until he made sure the kid was left in a puddle of his own blood.
    Classes had been dismissed an hour ago, and I knew if this had taken place during school hours, we all would be in trouble. However, the bullying never took place during the day. It was always away from prying eyes.
    Blake laid on the floor, his body curled in on itself. I wanted to stop Diesel, yet there was a part of me that didn’t want to. I knew I would though, just because I would never allow him to turn into them.
    “Diesel.” My saying of his name brought his mind back to the present as he looked at me with deep concern. His eyes glided over my tear-streaked face.
    “Come with me,” he ordered wiping Blake’s blood off on his blue jeans. I was hesitant to follow him. Never had he actually asked me to follow him somewhere. Usually, I was doing the following all on my own.
    “Maggie,” he said my name sternly, turning around to me. I was still standing where I had been the entire time. My muscles told me not to move, but the look in Diesel’s eyes told me I needed to.
    Forcing myself forward, I walked over Blake’s still breathing form on the tiled floor and closer to Diesel. Once I was close enough that he assumed I was following, he headed toward the AG room.
    When he turned into the classroom, and up the steps to the