I stayed frozen in the shadowed corner long after Courtney’s footsteps faded down the hallway and Scott’s voice chased after her. I didn’t move, didn’t think.  My body felt glued to the wall, as if the plaster itself refused to release me. 

My heart was still pounding in my ears when I heard slow, uneven footsteps. Ace’s. 

He was coming this way. 

I panicked and almost ran. The urge shot up my spine like electricity, but my legs didn’t move in time. 

Ace rounded the ...