CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT

ROXANNE

It was that Monday again. The rain had just stopped an hour ago, but the air remained chilled, the sky dark and menacing. Thunder grumbled in the distance, while lightning occasionally slashed through the grey clouds.

I had let my hair down today and wore my favourite black dress with a scarf, hoping to hide my face. Whenever I showed up at school like this, the bullies didn’t recognise me, granting me a rare peaceful day without a visit to the nurse.

How I loathed Mondays. And school. I wouldn't be here if mom hadn't insisted. I loved learning, but school was another matter entirely. They...