Page 120 of Running Winter

Hetty coughed up blood, but I didn’t care.

I'm enjoying myself.

"You don't mind if I take mine off, do you?" I asked innocently, lifting a bottle of half-filled nail polish remover. I hold the lighter in one hand and unscrewed the bottle with the other as Hetty shook her head.

"You—you can't—" she stammered, and I looked at her with confusion.

"I can't use it? Oh, come on, it's not like you're going to use any anytime soon," I pouted, standing up and pouring it into the dirty carpet around Hetty. I drizzled it over her legs as she moaned before tipping it over the open wound in her stomach. Her screams filled the trailer, and I pressed my fingers to my lips.

"Sweet dreams, babe."

I stood, opening the door slightly.

Leigh and Alexei were in the car, ready to go.

I took my time lighting a towel in the trailer, watching the flames licking the sides greedily. Then, staring down at Hetty, who was sobbing silently, I smiled before I threw the towel at her.

Her screams became louder, and I closed the door firmly behind me, heading towards the car.

"Drive, Alexei," I commanded as Leigh reached out to lace his fingers with mine. "And for your sake, put the screen up."

His eyes widened as I climbed onto Leigh's lap, our mouths meeting greedily.

I’m beyond fucked up, but I’m happy.

SAY SOMETHING…

R A F E

Two weeks and I already had a reputation for myself.

I suppose I had Sydney to thank for that, and she was a woman scorned. Not good when the only place that made good coffee on campus was poured from the hands that wanted to be around my neck.

Whoops.

When Chase arrived, I was lazing on the beach, soaking up the sun, bearing gifts. Of course, by gifts, I mean chips and soda, but what better gifts can you get while by the beach?!

"Don't forget we are going to that new bar tonight. Rayna said she wants to go," Chase reminded me, shaking his head as a girl walked by in just a thong. "Jeez."

"Did you just check out a girl?" I scoffed, sitting up with surprise.

"I'm in love, not blind, dickhead," Chase smirked, cracking open a can of soda. "God, this beats Winterburg."

"You bet," I agreed. "I wonder if my parents have gone back to a pile of ashes where the house once stood."

"Hey, listen, about Raven," Chase said seriously. "I think something was going on with Leigh. Do you think he would take advantage of her?"

I exhaled slowly, wondering if Chase knew my sister at all.

"No, I don't. I think if Leigh tried to, she would eat him for breakfast."

"I dunno, man. She's gonna meet someone one day, but—" Chase mumbled, gazing at the ocean.

"Can we not do this? Talk about my sister and her sex life?" I yawned, sinking back onto my towel. My fingers rested on the warm sand, and I stretched sleepily, wondering if I would have time for a quick nap before tonight's shenanigans.

“Are you falling asleep?" Chase demanded, jabbing me in the ribs. "No time for that shit. We need to get back, eat, and meet Rayna. She said that girl would be there, the one from your art class."

I immediately knew who he was referring to, and I couldn't be less interested. Unfortunately, I'd spent a night with her last weekend, and despite trying, I just didn’t feel attracted to her at all.

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