Page 19 (1/2)

Prologue

“Stay away frorand, wooden pier A boy was there, gazing out at the distant waves, a boy who appeared to be just a little older than Jill “He’s trouble”

But he didn’t look like trouble The boy’s blond hair blew in the wind and his faded T-shirt fluttered in the breeze

“I’ll only be inside a randmother promised as she patted Jill’s shoulder “Stay here”

And then her grandone She’d drifted into the little souvenir shop that waited near the pier, her voice drifting back to Jill as her grand to her friend inside the store

Her grandmother had a lot of friends in Hope, Florida It seemed that everyplace they went she met someone she knew Jillian’s flip-flops slid over the wooden pier as she stared up at the boy with the blond hair She’d randotten a chance to talk with any kids in the town

Her grandmother knew plenty of people, just no one as close to Jillian’s age No other kids around thirteen for her to chat with as she adjusted to her sudden, jarring new life

Just then, the boy glanced back at her She stiffened, but then Jill found herself lifting her hand in an aave She even took a few quick steps toward him His head cocked as he stared at her

Her hand fell back to her side

He’s trouble Her grandh her mind once more

But he was co closer to her His sneakers didn’t even seem to make a sound as he eliminated the distance between the down at her He was taller than she was, his shoulders already beco broad, and he used one careless hand to shove back his overly long hair

“I don’t know you,??

? he said His voice was deeper than she’d expected He appeared to be around fifteen, rown-up

“No, ah, I’m new” She tucked her hands behind her back “I’m Jillian, but my friends call me Jill”

His gaze swept over her—dark brown eyes Deep eyes When she looked hard enough—and Jill was looking so hard that she felt herself blush—she saw a circle of gold in those brown eyes

“You think we’re friends, Jill?” He emphasized her name, just a bit

She shrugged “We could be” She bit her lip and offered her hand to him “It’s nice to meet you”

He frowned at her hand, staring at it a little too long and hard, and then his gaze slowly rose to her face “You have no clue who I am, do you?”

He’s trouble Jillian shook her head She felt so silly standing there, with her hand offered to him Maybe she should drop her hand

“I’ood friend material” His lips twisted “Ask anyone”

She dropped her hand She felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment He doesn’t want to be my friend

“I saw you with your grandmother”

Wait, when had he seen her? She’d thought that he’d been staring at the water the whole tirandmother

His head cocked “I’m surprised she didn’t tell you to stay away from me”

“She did,” Jill blurted

Surprise flashed on his face “So you’re not good at doing what you’re told, huh?” He made a tut-tut sound “What would your parents say?”

Her skin iced The pain was so raw and fresh—it gutted her Jill sucked in a sharp breath and took a quick step back “They can’t say anything They’re dead” And she shouldn’t be talking to him She shouldn’t be so desperate for a friend, for any friend, that she’d disobey her grandrandrandmother decided she didn’t want to be saddled with a kid? What if she dumped Jill someplace else? What if—

Jill spun on her heel “I have to go” She ran away froo back to the car Wait there And she would not talk to anyone until her grand with tears as she fled and Jill heard the boy call out her name

But she didn’t stop

What would your parents say?

She wished they could still say so to her

The pier ended Her flip-flops sank into the beautiful white sand of the beach, sand so white it was like sugar The first tiht it felt as it ran through her fingers She wasn’t laughing now

She swiped at the tears on her cheeks The first kid she’d et a good reputation in the town Jillian’s a crybaby Jillian’s a baby

Her grandmother’s dependable four-door sedan waited a few feet away There were only a few other cars in the parking lot It was late, nearing sunset, and not many folks were still out

“Are you okay, little girl?”

I’m not little Those were the words that rose to her lips But she didn’t snap the concerned

Probably because I’

“Are you all alone?” He seemed horrified by the very idea

“M-randmother is in the souvenir shop” She pointed behind her The man stepped closer to her “She’ll be out soon”

The , then his hand clah to hurt and he leaned in toward Jill and whispered, “Not soon enough, Jill”

How does he know my name?

She opened her et to screaainst hi Sotoward a van a few feet away

No, no, this can’t happen!

“Don’t rowled

Jill froze

He opened the side door of the van He threw her inside, but Jill lunged forward, ready to juain

He hit her A hard punch right to her face It was the first time in Jill’s life that she’d ever been hit For a aze slid away from the man before her—a monster—and