Violet Path by Olivia Lodise Read Free Book Online Page B

it.
    Finally, after many nightmares and endless pain, I was ready to escape. I wanted to hurt Matthew, but I knew I couldn’t hurt him if I stayed. I didn’t know where I was going to go, but anywhere was better than H.S.H.S.
    When I wasn’t in my cell, I spent my time sewing a camouflage suit with cloth that I had found in the laundry room. I had also found a pair of outdoor boots. I had the perfect outfit that could withstand almost any weather, and I would be able to move swiftly without being seen.
    I had also spent countless hours trying to crack the code that kept me locked in my room. The code had been simple—my birthday: 03-25. The more time I’d spent there, the more I wanted to erase the nightmares, but they seemed permanently engraved in my mind. I hated Matthew. All he had ever done was encage me.
    And tonight was going to be the night. After weeks and weeks of torment, I was ready to make my escape.
    I silently crept out of the door carrying a bag with all of my surviving supplies. I tied my black hair into a bun. I swiftly made my way down the stairs and into one of the gyms. I stole one of the skateboards, broke off its wheels, attached my anti-gravity ring to it, and ran outside into the dark night. I passed a couple of soldiers like a ghost. As soon as I was completely alone and out of sight, I laid the board down, turned on the ring, and jumped onto the hovering skateboard. I headed toward the forest’s edge. I was finally going to be free!
    As I passed the principal’s office, the school’s alarm went off. I sped straight ahead toward my freedom. Red lights beamed around the campus, while bright, white lights shone everywhere. Students emerged from their dorms and got into their battle positions, searching the campus. My heart was pounding. I was terrified. I couldn’t be caught. Matthew would torture me if he were to catch me escaping from his grasp. I had to get away. The nightmare had to end.
    As I approached the laser beams, I jumped off the hover-board and held it under my arm. I carefully crawled between every ruby beam; the slightest contact would send a signal telling the whole school where I was. Sweat pearled on my forehead as the beams skimmed my eyes when I passed between them.
    As I crossed the last laser, a weight had been lifted, but my heart skipped a beat when I made eye contact with a student, who then rung the alarm. I raced into the forest as fast as I could. Without turning around, I was certain that everyone was chasing me. I could feel the earth trembling under my feet. I heard a gunshot and felt as if the world had fallen apart. I froze, then slowly turned around. The students, soldiers, and robot-like instructors all had their backs to me. They were taking orders from someone who was standing in the center of the crowd. I recognized the voice; it had been engraved in my mind.
    “Circle her!” Matthew yelled. “Bring her back alive! Do not come back without her! Take down anyone who stands in your way!”
    Matthew was furious. Those who weren’t capable of finding me would surely be struck down without hesitation. Something worse would happen to me if I were caught. I had to get away.
    I started to run, and when I thought it was safe, I saw someone move in the distance. I was encircled—doomed!
    I collapsed to the ground and crawled behind a bush. Fear crawled beneath my skin and clawed at my heart. I was terrified, but I couldn’t confront Matthew again. I had the strength to stand up to him, but he would surely destroy me.
    Someone passed in front of me, which meant that the circle was closing in. I had nowhere to go. As their night goggles skimmed over me, I closed my eyes. I imagined my hands tied behind my back, struggling to get away as my “colleagues” brought me to Matthew. I refused being caught, especially when I had already crossed the line.
    “I see footprints,” someone said.
    I waited silently, and then the commotion seemed to move away. Once it was