Sandy's POV
The air around Sandy felt electric with danger. Something dark was consuming Charles from the inside, and she could see him fighting against it. His muscles were coiled tight like a spring ready to snap, and his eyes held a coldness that made her blood freeze.
He moved closer to her. Every nerve in her body screamed at her to run.
Pain shot through her limbs as she forced herself to stand. Her back hit the cold concrete wall, and she used it to steady herself. The rough surface scraped against her skin, but she barely noticed.
For just a heartbeat, the real Charles surfaced. His eyes softened to that familiar shade she knew so well. The same eyes that had looked at her with something that felt like genuine care, even when she knew it was all pretense.
He stumbled backward and clutched his head with both hands.
"Get away from me. Go back inside and stay there."
