Page 75 of Twisted Heathens
I take the sheets blindly and prepare to flee.
“Read them, Brooklyn!” Lazlo shouts after me. “Do your homework before you return. If you don’t put the effort into therapy, we won’t get anywhere together!”
I ignore him completely and stride out, passing the startled guard waiting outside. He checks with the disgruntled doctor and I practically run from the building. Every step mirrors the heavy beat of my heart.
I know exactly where my fucking demons came from.
My blood is cursed.
As I emerge into the foyer and dash for the exit, my escort finally lets me go. Breaking out into the fresh air, I stumble and end up falling to my knees. The hard gravel rips my jeans and slices my leg, hot pain bursting from the scratch, but I don’t react. Just sucking in air takes all of my attention, a full breakdown threatening to take over.
“Brooklyn?”
A warm hand lands on my shoulder, brushing my long hair aside. I note his familiar scent, fresh mint and coffee meeting my nose. Kade crouches down, peering at me with warm eyes behind his thick rimmed glasses. “Hey there, love. What’s up?”
I push his hand away, fighting to compose myself. “What do you want?”
“Woah, easy. Just making sure you’re okay.”
My head falls as I shove my emotions down, picturing the little box in my mind that all my monsters and demons barely fit into. It’s bursting at the seams and one day, it’ll erupt spectacularly. I offer Kade a weak smile that doesn’t feel particularly genuine.
“Sorry. Bad timing.”
“Clearly. You alright? Need a hand up?”
He helps me to my feet, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. For a brief, glorious second, I relax into him. Burying into the warmth and comfort that his body offers without judgement, even if I’ve spent weeks running from exactly that.
“Want to talk?” he murmurs.
I can feel his nose buried in my hair.
“Nope.”
Pulling back, Kade stares down at me. In typical protective fashion, he’s silently searching for my secrets. But for once, he doesn’t pry or push me any further. Just forces a smile and takes a step back, giving me some much-needed space.
“Okay. I’ll leave you be. You know where I am.”
Just as I turn to race away, he calls my name again. “I almost forgot, I got you something. Don’t tell the guys, I didn’t bring souvenirs from home for everyone.”
After a quick glance about, he subtly presses a brand new pack of cigarettes into my hand. “Come find me later if you want some company. No pressure.”
And with that, Kade strides away. Leaving me taken aback, the bitter clutch of despair around my heart loosening. Something else takes its place.
Warm, unfamiliar, fuzzy.
Something akin to gratitude.
Twenty-Six
Eli
Beautiful Way by You Me At Six
Standing in the shade of an oak tree, I let the raindrops lash my face. Ice cold, burning my skin as the wind howls. The cigarette between my fingers fizzles out but I don’t care, tossing it aside. For once, there’s a single taste in my mind. Untainted by the usual chaos.
Rain tastes like regret.
Bitter, acrid, sharp.