Chapter 11

A black blur of security guards barreled through the mass of press people, knocking cameras, microphones, and even a news reporter to the ground in their hurry to get to me.

I ran. Or tried to run. People still stood scratching their heads on the street, and my heels buried themselves in their shoes. I switched directions into a clearer path. In the opposite direction from the way I entered Avalon Street. In the opposite direction of Kendra's limo. Shit.

A narrow alley opened up between two buildings up ahead on my right. I glanced behind me. The security guards flattened the crowd, their eyes locked on me.

I stopped long enough to kick off my heels, then picked them up by their straps and sprinted down the alley. Puddles of mud and grime splashed up my legs and onto my dress. The cold prickled my skin. Rotten food wafted out of the open dumpsters and curled my stomach.