Page 40 of Twisted Heathens
“You will. She doesn’t need you and clearly doesn’t like you.”
The worst part is, I don’t even care. Now I’ve seen her, laid my eyes on her translucent skin, that billowing hair lighter than fresh snow, I’m enthralled all over again. Just like before, I fell hard and fucking fast without coming up for air. I’ll only hurt her by sticking around. So why can’t I let go?
The door to the library opens and I glance up, eyes searching for her. Disappointment fills me as Phoenix and Eli appear instead. Fuck’s sake, she’s not coming. Even if they let her out, I’m the last person she’ll want to see. She will have to face me soon enough. If she needs to scream and beat on me again, so be it. I’ll take it. Whatever brings her back to me.
“Anything?” Kade asks.
Phoenix shakes his head. “Nope. No sign of her.”
All eyes are on me, with matching expressions of anger. Hands clenched, I turn my attention back to the textbook. Reading the words without taking them in, my brain caught in a state of complete numbness. This is all my fault.
Phoenix glares. “What do we do now?”
“No one will talk to me about her. I’ve been shut out,” Kade states.
“You’ve got to know something!”
“I’m just as frustrated as the rest of you. There’s nothing we can do.”
Shoulders slumping in defeat, Phoenix curses colourfully. “I hate this.”
“Why the fuck do you guys even care?” I hiss at them.
Matching glowers are tossed my way, indicating that was entirely the wrong thing to say. Even my so-called friends hate me right now. It’s not a great feeling, but I’m used to being the bad guy around here.
“While you’ve been busy screwing Britt and being the world’s shittiest friend, we’ve been getting to know Brooklyn, helping her settle in. So, lose the entitlement and wake up, Hud. You’re not the only one who’s pissed,” Kade rants.
I almost want to pat him on the back for finally saying it how it is for once.
“We care as much as you do, if not more,” Phoenix chimes in.
Even Eli nods, chewing on his lip anxiously. He’s not looking great, more washed out and jittery than usual as he glances around. They care, all three of them. It’s blindingly obvious and I can’t help the jealousy that brings.
“Fine, then help me fix this,” I plea.
“How?”
“I don’t know. Between the four of us, we’ve got to think of something.”
There’s a chime and Kade punches buttons on his phone, quickly silencing it. He needs to be more careful, we’re allowed phones but internet access is strictly monitored, along with calls.
“It’s your appointment this afternoon with the lawyer.”
He shoots me a loaded look. Just as I’m about to berate him for the millionth time, an idea hits me. Management will never listen to us, a group of fucking delinquents with records that shame most prisoners. Even Kade, he clearly has less sway around here than previously believed.
“That’s it,” I exclaim.
Kade is the first to catch on of course. “Dammit. You’re right!”
“Someone catch me up?” Phoenix whines.
“The lawyer. He’s here to provide an update on my case, but we’ll just use him to free Brooklyn instead. Say that they’re holding her without cause or whatever. He’ll know exactly what to do, the punishment will never stick.”
The words tumble free, my relief growing. This could work. If we leave her, they’ll let her rot. Regardless of the toll solitary will inevitably take. I can’t just sit here while they slowly break her down, day by day.
Kade strides away. “I’ll make the call.”
“Then what?”