Free Chasing Shadow (Shadow Puppeteer) by Christina E. Rundle Page A

released prisoners last night,” I said.
    His nimble fingers stalled over the bandage he placed on my wrist. Within a second, he was back in action, wrapping it with gauze.
    “Don’t you think it’s strange? Diablo is a loner, yet he rescued Berserkers from the asylum. Why would he help them?” My pulse said this was a dangerous game I was playing.
    Memphis remained silent until the gauze was in place, then he turned to look at me.
    “Eventually we all need to choose a side and he’s never been alone,” he said.
    Did that mean Diablo was male, or was Memphis projecting his gender on the white demon that showed up a great deal more around these parts?
    What if I was a demon? Being nonhuman could cover a broad aspect of creatures.
    My direct question was on the verge of my lips, but when he pulled off his gloves and ran a hand through his hair, I saw a great deal of tiredness. If he was Diablo, he had his own reasons. If not, then he was just a follower.
    The bell rang, saving us from further awkwardness. I lowered my sleeve while he pushed everything back into his baggie and shoved it into his backpack.
    I caught myself in the doorway and leaned back in. “Thanks, Memphis.”
    If he heard me, he didn’t acknowledge it.
    Students poured into the halls, some heading to second period lunch, while others came up the staircase for their noon classes. I fought against the crowd and was pushed against the rail. Time literally stopped with Rex’s hand on my hip. Paper was pushed into the rim of my skirt, then he was gone.
    Heat blazed my cheeks as I put my hand over the spot with the piece of paper so it wouldn’t slip out. Rex disappeared up the stairs and I followed the aggressive rush of students heading downstairs. The lunch crowd was lingering, making it difficult to reach the bathroom.
    “What’s going on Raggedy?” Amber cut me off in the hallway.
    Feeling smug, I tried to pass her as she grabbed my bad arm, yanking me back. The pain wasn’t as sharp with the numbing gel, but it was uncomfortable.
    “I’m talking to you,” she said.
    I shoved her back with my good arm.
    “Back off,” I hissed. After the orange soda, I really wasn’t in the mood and Starr wasn’t present to talk me down.
    She caught my shoulders and swung me hard against the lockers. The metal vibrated my bones, jarring my spine and making my head ache. My vision swam, but I kept Amber in focus. She wasn’t going to make a fool of me twice in one day.
    “Stay away from Rex.”
    “Trust me, the asshole’s all yours.”
    It took a lot more to intimidate me. The warning bell rang, but the students weren’t about to miss this fight.
    “If I catch you flirting with him, I’ll make a coat out of your skin,” she threatened.
    “I’m not the one flirting,” I said.
    Anger twisted her face. She pulled me forward and slammed me back against the locker with more force. The pain doubled. Heat flared over my skin. I was stuck between vomiting or fainting.
    “Break it up. Detention to everyone who isn’t in class after the last bell,” Viddie’s voice roared over the quiet crowd.
    Amber released me. “Watch your back, slut.”
    Without the strength of her holding me upright, I swayed back into the locker. The students broke up quickly, allowing the principal to approach.
    “I’m willing to let this pass today, now go to your class Miss McKnight,” Viddie said.
    “Going,” I said over my shoulder.
    The first step I took, I knew the note was no longer on me. My pulse raced into my throat. I glanced around the floor, but there was no slip of paper lying on the tile.
    “Class, Miss McKnight,” he said again.
    “I’m going,” I repeated.

EIGHT
    T he end of the day couldn’t come soon enough. All I wanted to do was sleep.
    I opened my locker and noticed the folded sheet of paper on top of my books. The printed letter said: this one is for you.
    The steady buzz of voices and clatter of lockers was interrupted by a scream. Students