I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 3

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**

**Chapter 3**

Sloane’s gaze swept across the bus interior like a hawk searching for prey. Her eyes darted from one end to the other, scanning every face, every movement.

With each mile that passed beneath the bus, an unsettling truth settled in her stomach: she was inching closer to a nightmare. Brody was undoubtedly waiting for her at the next stop, knife in hand, eager to finish what he had started.

*I can’t just sit here and let him find me.*

Suddenly, her eyes locked onto a window situated near the back of the bus.

*That’s the one.*

With determination, Sloane turned her body, forcing her trembling hands to steady themselves. She stood up, head bowed, and made her way toward the empty seat at the back, her heart racing with every step. As she sat down, she cast a furtive glance at the window. It was a tight fit, but she was confident she could squeeze through.

Her eyes roamed the bus once more. Most passengers were absorbed in their phones or drifting into slumber. No one seemed to be paying attention to her corner of the bus.

*Good.*

Kneeling on the seat, she reached for the latches, her breath caught in her throat.

*Don’t make a sound. Please, don’t make a sound… Thank you, God.*

She swiftly manipulated the side latches, her fingers working quickly. Now, only the top latch remained. It was a tricky maneuver; she had to stand to reach it, leaving herself vulnerable for a few precious seconds. She had to be quick.

*Click. Done.*

She dropped back into her seat, her heart pounding like a drum, forcing herself to take deep, calming breaths. It was time to embrace the madness.

She understood that the moment she pushed that window open, the alarm would blare, alerting everyone to her desperate escape. She needed to scramble out like a rat fleeing a trap before anyone had a chance to react. As for the fall?

*Compared to Brody’s knife? A broken leg would feel like a day at the spa.*

There was no more time to waste. The next stop was too close for comfort.

Sloane inhaled deeply and shoved the window open with all her strength.

*BEEP-!!!*

The blaring alarm pierced the air, a cacophony of chaos erupting inside the bus—screams, shouts, confusion. But Sloane didn’t care. She planted her hands firmly on the edge of the window and vaulted herself out.

She hit the concrete with a jarring thud.

Pain shot through her knees and shoulders as she rolled across the ground, the rough surface scraping away layers of skin.

Before she even came to a complete stop, she was up on her feet, propelled by adrenaline that dulled the pain in an instant.

Two words echoed in her mind, urgent and demanding:

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