Page 5 of Breaking Rules

“I’m a teacher at Kurt Wright,” I admitted, “but we don’t know yet what happened. There’s an investigation.”

“Well, I hope they catch whoever did it. One of these days, a politician is going to lose one of their kids or grandkids, and that’s when things will finally change.” Apparently, this was a topic he felt strongly about because he continued to talk the entire rest of the way.

At least he wasn’t some conspiracy theorist or someone coming up with some crazy solution that couldn’t possibly work. If it’d happened somewhere else, I might’ve even joined in the discussion, but I couldn’t even really let myself hear it, not without losing control over what I was feeling.

Then, finally, I was home. I handed him a couple folded bills, told him to keep the change, and then hurried into the building. The sound of my feet on the stairs sent my heart racing, sending my mind back to how I’d imagined hearing someone coming after me as I’d made my way down the hall toward the nearest exit.

I’d wanted to go to the cafeteria. Get to my kids and protect them. But I’d remembered how we’d been told what we were to do if we were alone in this type of situation. We weren’t supposed to deviate from the plan in place. No heroics. Over and over, it’d been emphasized how we could put people in danger if we didn’t do what we were supposed to do.

I’d hated every second, but the anger at my helplessness had managed to drive away the majority of my fear. I’d at least found my class quickly, because if I hadn’t, I wasn’t sure I would’ve been able to stop myself from going back inside.

The second I opened my door, I realized there was someone I should have called as soon as I had a chance.

“Lumen!” Mai threw her arms around me, nearly knocking me off my feet.

I grabbed at the door, managing to shut it behind us because it didn’t seem like she was going to let go anytime soon.

“I was so worried! Hob heard about it at work because they let all the hospitals know, and he called me.” Her arms tightened around me. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I put my hands on her shoulders and pulled her back a bit. “I wasn’t hurt. I didn’t even see anything.”

Mei’s eyes narrowed as she stepped back. “If you weren’t hurt, then where have you been?”

“I had to give my statement to the police and make sure my students got to their parents.” I set my bag down and toed off my shoes, sighing in relief. “Plus, Soleil showed up, and I had to take her back to the home.”

“And you couldn’t be bothered to take the time to send a text to let me know you weren’t dead or dying?”

The hurt in Mai’s voice cut me and the tears I’d managed to keep back welled up instantly. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think…I mean, it was crazy, and I just kept thinking about the next thing I had to do. I’m not used to having someone care that much–”

“Of course I care! I didn’t mean to make you feel bad,” Mai said, hugging me again. “I was just terrified that something had happened to you.”

“I’ll do better,” I promised. “The next time I’m in a life-threatening situation, I’ll reach out.”

I made the comment light, but the sentiment was genuine. Emotion nearly choked me, and I knew I needed to get out of there as quickly as possible.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but I really need to get a shower,” I said as I forced a small smile. “It’s been a long day.”

“Take your time,” Mai said, already reaching for her phone. “I’ll order us some dinner.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. As soon as she let me go, I hurried to the bathroom. The moment I shut the door, the damn broke, and I slapped a hand over my mouth to stifle the sob that came out of me.

I turned on the shower and then let go. Tears streamed down my face as I undressed, but I no longer tried to stop them. If my childhood and adolescence had taught me anything, it was how to cry in a shower without letting anyone know that’s what you were doing.

Three

Alec

The tight gripI always held on my emotions was threatening to crack. I always had the answers, knew the right things to do or say. On the rare occasions I didn’t know, I had the means and the drive to find someone who did.

Now though, I was at a loss.

I’d never imagined that this sort of thing could happen at my daughter’s school. Then again, I’d never actually thought about it at all. School had been Keli’s thing to handle. I’d just assumed that she’d made certain that Kurt Wright was safe.

Common sense said I should wait until I found out what really happenedbeforeI made any rash decisions. Like taking Evanne out of school entirely and hiring a tutor to homeschool her so she’d never have to leave the house.

Better idea.

If I hired Lumen as the tutor, I could keep thembothsafely locked away.