"The course of true love never did run smooth." ~ William Shakespeare
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Kailani Hummel, an innocent small-town genderfluid teenager, gets sucked into a world that seems like only they can navigate in an attempt to save everyone they love. Will Qu...
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Vaughn scrambled down the sidewalk as fast as her legs could take her. She turned the corner, looking back to ensure neither Hunter nor Holden noticed she was gone before taking off across the street toward the subway.
As the teenager barreled down the stairs and prepared to jump the pay station, an officer rushed toward her and grabbed her by the arm. He yanked her away from the gates and quickly threw her to the side before she could alligator roll away from him.
"Wait, I'm being—" Vaughn's words caught in her throat when she came face to face with none other than Bryan Ryan. She scrambled back against the large mirror on the wall behind her and began kicking at him, remembering his face from the pictures Hunter and Holden showed her. "Leave me alone!"
She kicked her foot and grunted in pain as it struck Bryan in the face. Before she could scramble up from the floor and rush off, a hand reached through the mirror and pulled her through the wall.
Bryan held his nose in pain, rubbing his face as he tried to recover from the sharp blow. By the time he looked up, Vaughn was back in her place as if she had never disappeared in the first place.
"The best thing about time travel is...." Bryan placed his hand on the gun in his fake police holster and stood tall. "...we can always try again."
Vaughn felt her heart race when Holden walked down the stairs, clapping slowly with a wide grin. She felt helpless in her place, not seeing anything but anger in Hunter's eyes when he joined his family's side.
"Oh, Vaughn. Vaughn. Vaughn." Holden chuckled. "Was that really the best you got? You think a little crying is enough to trick me?"
"Let me go home." Vaughn quivered in fear as the man stalked over and grabbed her arm, yanking her off the floor. "Please, what do you want? I want to go home! I want my Momma!"
"Poor, kid. When will you learn we are your home." Hunter's face remained emotionless as he stared at Vaughn. "And after that stunt, you'll be lucky to see Juniper and Augusta again."
Vaughn's tears surfaced as Holden dragged her toward Bryan. She felt the man handcuff her from behind and grab the chain tightly, guiding her walk with a heavy hand on her shoulder.
"Let's go, Vaughn." Bryan shoved the teenager forward and ignored her soft cries. "No point in crying now."
Hunter watched his father walk the girl up the steps to the police car waiting for them. He turned to Holden once they reached the top, letting his brows crease.
"Do you think your plan will work?" Hunter asked, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't want to keep making scenes. Someone's bound to recondnize her."
