Chapter 3The Audience Voted for Me to Save the Lost Prince

I started bringing him food every day, telling my mom I was helping a “financially struggling classmate.” She would beam at me and praise my thoughtfulness.

She gave me my younger brother’s hand-me-downs and even increased my allowance.

I tried to slip him some cash occasionally. He refused. I countered, “It’s a loan. You can pay me back later.”

He accepted everything, but insisted on keeping a ledger.

The words in the small, scavenged notebook were surprisingly neat, unlike what a street kid would write:

Nov 7. Lunch (Ainsley)

Nov 8. Winter jacket (Ainsley)

Nov 9. 11th Grade Physics textbook (Ainsley)

I told him not to bother, but he shook his head. “I have to pay it back.”

The pop-ups provided a daily intelligence briefing:

[Sylvie’s lover is Trenton Hall, now the Pierce Corp. VP. They plan to marry as soon as Landon turns eighteen.]

[Old Man Edward Pierce is sick. The will isn’t finalized. Sylvie is rushing to find Landon to force a signature.]

[The PI has his picture, but hasn’t confirmed his identity yet.]

On Wednesday afternoon, I skipped study hall to bring him a scarf—a thick, dark gray one I’d bought with my saved allowance.

As I reached the alley entrance, I saw two men in dark suits questioning the owner of the corner store.

“…Seventeen or eighteen, kinda lean, pale. Might be scavenging in this area.”

My heart seized. I ducked behind a utility pole.

Pop-up alarm:

[It’s Trenton Hall’s people! They’ve found the neighborhood!]

[In the original plot, the store owner is the one who gives them directions!]

[Background Sis, grab Landon and run!]

I raced into the alley. Landon was reading the physics textbook, the setting sun catching his eyelashes. He looked peaceful, like a painting.

“Landon! Pack up. We need to leave now!”

He looked up, confused.

“Someone is looking for you. They don’t look like good people.” Sweat pricked my skin. “Maybe… debt collectors?”

It was a clumsy lie, but he bought it. After seven years on the streets, he was familiar with malice.

“Okay.” He closed the book, retrieved his ledger from under a stack of cardboard. “I know a bridge abutment not far from here.”

“Wait.” I grabbed his sleeve. “You can’t keep hiding.”

I looked him in the eye. “Give me a week. I’ll figure out a place for you to stay, and… get you back into school.”

His pupils dilated slightly.

“Why?” His voice was hoarse. “Why are you doing so much for me?”

The pop-ups rolled:

[Tell him you can’t stand it!]

[Say you want to save him!]

[The real reason is we gave her the spoilers…]

But I couldn't say that.

“Because…” I heard my own voice tremble. “Because you deserve to be treated well.”

His eyelashes looked damp.

“…Okay.”