Chapter 44

Alyssa

Strength isn't how you avoid trouble—it's how you act when put under pressure and your solution to getting out of the darkness. Right now, I'm battling for my life. It's getting harder to fight by the minute, yet the pain in my limbs is only fuelling my will to survive.

I scream and punch a siren in the face, gritting my teeth and roaring before slamming my boot into another one's stomach. Even though I'm engaged in a losing game, a fire is raging on within my chest. The night might be cold, but my fists are heated.

"Why won't you give up?"

"Girl, you won't win this fight."

I keep on struggling.

"Ah, you're getting tired."

I throw another punch, screaming in vain when the sirens won't shut up. They keep harassing me, hugging my exhausted body when sweat has broken over my skin.

A tongue flickers by my earlobe. "You're weak."

Those words awaken more adrenaline, and I break free, crying out into the night as I