Chapter 42
It happened again four days later, far worse this time.
Luca was walking alone toward the science building for a late afternoon lab session when Marcus and his two friends emerged suddenly from a narrow alley between two buildings, cutting off his path entirely before he even registered their presence.
"Miss us?" Marcus said, smiling in a way that held nothing friendly behind it.
"Leave me alone," Luca said, backing away instinctively, though there was nowhere useful to retreat to, the narrow space between buildings offering no easy escape.
"We're not finished with our lesson," Marcus said, stepping closer, the other two flanking wide to block any attempt Luca might make to run.
Luca's back hit the brick wall behind him, and for one terrible moment he understood, with sudd
