My trembling hand Ch 45_Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine

Chapter 45 Beneath The Vent

 Chapter 45 Beneath The Vent

 ARDEN

 45 Free Coins

 That kind of man was ced in power in the United Factions? I couldn’t believe it. All the stories I had heard about him being an advocate for students‘ rights slipped through my fingers like water. It was clear he was just another man in a position of

 power.

 As I stepped out of his office, I suddenly understood what I had be. Fodder. A factionless freak.

 Still, I held my head high as eyesnded on me. The badges on everyone’s cors glimmered like silent warnings, signaling thand was an outsider in a world where conformity ruled.

 By the time I reached our first ss, the atmosphere hadn’t improved.

 “Hey!” Rowan greeted, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. I sighed, turning to meet his gaze, trying to muster as much. sincerity as I could. His eyes showed something–concern? With that, he slowly withdrew his arm.

 Thanks,” I muttered, redirecting my attention to the board. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was an unwanted presence.

 By the first break, I found myself all alone. Tessa had another ss, leaving me with little choice but to grab a drink from the vending machine before escaping to the gardens.

 However, before I could even reach the door, a cold ssh hit my back first, soaking my button–up and the white tank top underneath. The sticky scent of fruit juice filled my nostrils, andughter echoed in the halls,

 I turned slowly, my heart racing, to see Sienna and her friends giggling. “Sienna,” I muttered.

 “You’re factionless,” she said sweetly. “Who are you going to tell? Hmm?”

 “What’s the matter?” another girl chimed in, striking a pose indicative of exaggerated pity. “You think you’re better than us now? Just because the Alphas want you

 They don’t want her,” Sienna sncered, her eyes narrowing. “They want her body. That’s all. That’s what you’re good for, isn’t it. Arden?”

 I met her gaze head–on, swallowing the bitterness rising in my throat. “Then maybe you should be d to take my ce.” Her smile faltered–the tiniest crack in her facade. And that was enough for me to turn and walk away before things turned for the worse.

 My clothes clung ufortably to my skin. I pushed open the heavy bathroom door, relief flooding through me as I found myself alone. For a brief moment, the silence felt like oxygen, lifting the weight off my shoulders. I stood under the harsh lights, staring at my reflection in the mirror

 I sighed, removed my button–up, and ran it under the cold water. The coldness sent a shiver down my spine, but I scrubbed everyst drop of the pink drink they had flung onto my back.

 Then I leaned forward, uùng the hand dryer to try and dry my tank top. The hot air sted the damp fabric, intensifying the way a clung to my skin.

 I fuse the cotton ringing to my fingers forgotten as the voices of two guys grew closer. Panic surged through me as I walked to the door leaning slightly to listen. <ol><li>wh. biezuia said she went inside </li></ol>

 The scents were approaching so I quickly locked the door and backed away, covering my mouth with my hands to stifle any

 outd

 1:13 AM c

 Chapter 45 Beneath The Vent

 1

 The doorknob jiggled, and I shut my eyes tightly for a moment, bracing myself against the wall as their teasing voices filtered through

 “You’re filming, right? Go live on the Aftersound already.”

 My heart raced as I desperately hoped for theirughter to fade away,

 “Come on. Arden, a low voice said outside. “You don’t have to throw yourself at Alphas. I’ve got a decent score too. I’ll make you feel good.”

 My blood went ice cold. I opened my eyes as adrenaline coursed through my veins. The doorknob continued to jiggle, persistent as a dog barking for attention. “She locked it!”

 Bang.

 A loud m reverberated through the room, making my heartbeat quicken.

 “Don’t worry. I’ll break it down.”

 Panic wed at my throat like a desperate animal. I backed away instinctively, my eyes darting around. I spun in ce, frantically searching for anything that might help me escape.

 Then, in the corner of my eye, I spotted a glimmer of hope–an air vent. It wasn’t particrly wide, but I could squeeze through.

 With urgency surging through me, I yanked off the cover and scrambled up, wincing as I scraped my arm in the process. Just as the door creaked behind me, I slithered into the duct, pulling the grate half–shut in an attempt to shield myself from the impending intruders.

 Their voices echoed faintly below, a cruel reminder of the danger I was in. But I was already crawling away from them, pushing myself deeper into the darkness of the vent.

 The metal felt cold against my hands and knees, a contrast to the heat ignited by fear. I crawled forward, breath by shallow breath, whispering curses under my breath to keep my mind upied. The stench of dust and regret was suffocating. My elbow throbbed from the scrape, and every tiny shift in the duct sent creaks reverberating back into the stillness, making me hold my breath.

 Suddenly. I passed an open grate, and my eyes widened in shock at the sight below. In a dimly lit ssroom, were caught in a heated moment. I recoiled instinctively, shoving myself forward.

 two students

 It took what felt like an eternity to find another opening, but I pressed on. A few momentster, relief surged through me as I spotted a vent that opened into a shadowy room.

 I kicked it open, my heart racing, and dropped down,nding sofily on my feet with a muted thud.

 The room was lined withputers–though these looked nothing like the ones we worked with in our PC rooms. They were different, custom–built with multiple GPUs and cables sprawled across the floor,

 “What the hell is this ce?” I murmured, stepping cautiously deeper into the dimness.

 Just as I turned toward the glowing monitors, a hand shot out and yanked nie back.

 My breath caught in my throat, and a second hand mped down over my mouth, silencing my scream before I could even

 atte it

 I’m 1 excaped only tond in another trap!

 i futdrly, my elbow hiring a solid body. Nothing worked. Whoever had me was strong–far stronger than I was. I take a sound, thar pressure of his hand muffling even the slightest whimper of protest

 Eity brata st chest, and I was pushed gently, yes firmly, against the wall behind a cluster of desks. My breath stuttered in

 ry that. The star blue lights cast shadows on the floor, but he remained hidden within the dark. 

 “Be quiet for whispered.

 1:13 AM c c 

 Chapter 45 Beneath The Vent

 Free Coins

 That voice

 My eyes gradually adjusted to the gloom, capturing the outline of a familiar face. A sharp jawline. Tousled hair. A scent that sent a thrill through my veins.

 Cade?”

 I managed to whisper, my voice muffled against his palm, but he must’ve heard me. Slowly, he removed his hand, his warmth lingering against my skin.

 Turning to face him, I felt my mouth part in disbelief, my heart still hammering away. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

 He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, in that cramped, narrow space between desk and wall, he drew me into him.

 My body stiffened instinctively, but I didn’t pull away.

 His lips brushed against the shell of my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “Someone’sing, he murmured.

 Suddenly, I heard it too.

 Footsteps.

 Heavy, ominous ones.

 The door creaked open, and I felt my heart skip a beat as I squeezed my eyes shut.

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My trembling hand Ch 45