Page 19 of The Chaos She Brings

I reach into my pocket, pulling out the switchblade I alwayscarry for emergencies. The cold metal is solid in my grip. I’m not a fan of violence, but that doesn’t mean I can’t handle myself when it matters. You don’t have a best friend that’s a serial killer without knowing how to use a knife. Just in case.

The door is a mess, barely hanging on its hinges, the wood splintered and jagged where it’s been kicked in. My gut tightens as I step inside. The flat is a disaster.

It wasn’t exactly pristine before, but now it’s pure chaos. Overturned furniture clutters the small living room, and in the kitchenette, broken glass and shattered crockery crunch under my trainers. Drawers hang open, their contents scattered across the floor.

Moving cautiously toward her bedroom, I push the door open with my blade ready. The destruction continues—clothes tossed everywhere; the bedding ripped from the mattress and left in a heap.

I sweep the bathroom, heart pounding as I brace for something—or someone—lurking in the shadows. But it’s empty.

Releasing a tense breath, I step back into the hallway. She’s still standing exactly where I left her, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, fear etched into her face.

“It’s clear,” I tell her. “But… it’s bad.”

I barely finish before she’s pushing past me, bolting into the flat. Her movements are frantic until she freezes in the middle of the carnage.

“Oh my god.”

Her voice is barely above a whisper, but the tremble in it cuts through me.

I watch her as she takes it all in, her hands covering her mouth like she’s trying to hold back a scream. The sight of her standing amidst the wreckage makes my chest tighten, and I grip the knife harder, silently cursing whoever did this.

“Tess?”

Her eyes find mine just as tears pool in them. It cracks my resolve.

In one quick stride, I’m by her side, pulling her into my arms. The tension in my chest tightens as I feel her tremble against me. I stroke her hair, trying to offer her some comfort, but the anger and fear claw at me. Someone hurt her, someone madeher feel this way, and I can’t stand it.

“Who would do this?” she whispers, voice wavering.

“I don’t know,” I say, trying to keep my voice soft. “But I’ll find out.”

6

Kai Kissed Me

Tess to Carina: He kissed me… that means he likes me, right? [delivered]

Tess

“You’renotstayinghere.”His words slice through the fog in my brain like a blade, and for a moment, everything goes completely still. It’s as if my mind has short-circuited, blocking out everything, trying to shield me from the overwhelming rush of emotions. I can’t think. I can’t feel. Just an empty, hollow space.

“Tess?”

His voice pulls me from the quiet, but my mind isn’t ready to process anything yet.

I blink, trying to focus on him, but my thoughts are stumbling over themselves, falling apart like a house of cards. “Huh?”

“Did you hear me?”

“Um…” I should say something more, but I can’t. The words won’t come.

“Pack up your essentials. Let’s go.”

My chest tightens, and I’m momentarily frozen, the weight of his words sinking in. “Where are we going?” I ask, my voice sounding small, distant even to my own ears.

“Back to mine.”

“Oh. Okay.”