Page 4 of Devil

His lips pressed against mine and the world tipped on its axis. The warmth and softness of his mouth shattered my souland knowing he was about to leave, the tears I’d kept at bay finally fell.

“Don’t cry, Nova. I’ll never leave you.” He whispered against my lips before kissing me again. Hearing him say my name only intensified the pain. I didn’t want to lose him. If he left, I’d never see him again as long as I lived in that prison.

He pulled away slowly, his expression filled with agony and sorrow. “Give me a ten-minute head start and call the police. Tell them everything.”

“I want to go with you.” I whispered through my tears.

“You can’t right now. I’ll come back for you. I promise.” He swiped the emotion from under my eyes before rushing down the hall.

I stood in the middle of the living room floor, my foster parents lying motionless on either side of me. I had to call the cops and tell them what happened. It was self-defense, surely, he wouldn’t get in trouble. I’d tell them about everything that goes on in this house and how Colt always protects me. I’d never go against him after what he just did.

He came back a few minutes later with a bag filled with clothes. He walked towards me, gripping my hand once he was close. “They’ll take you away from here and put you somewhere safe.” He watched me closely until I finally nodded. “I’ll be around.” He kissed me for the last time, before walking out of the front door, taking what was left of my heart with him.

Two weeks later, I continued my daily routine even though I wanted to crawl in a hole and die.

Colt was gone.

The cops didn’t believe me.

They blamed him, saying he was a troubled kid with mental problems. They didn’t remove any of us from the home, instead telling our foster parents to keep a close eye on us. Especially mebecause I was trouble. Mr. Lancaster spent a couple of days in the hospital from the beating Colt gave him. Mrs. Lancaster had a bump on her head from where I hit her with the phone.

I had a target on my back.

My name was no longer Nova, but ‘little bitch’. They threw random objects at me as I walked through the house. I’d cook dinner and then they’d send me to my room while the rest of them ate. I mostly survived on granola bars and chips that Carson would sneak to me after everyone else went to bed.

If I had the balls to meet their gaze as they demeaned me, I was slapped across the face numerous times until I fell to the floor. I tried locking myself in my room, but after the first time, they took the door off the hinges.

I was in hell.

Alone again.

This time it was worse because I’d finally known kindness. I had experienced what it was like to have someone care about me. And it was all ripped away in the blink of an eye. It would’ve been so easy to end it all, but I couldn’t do it. Not when they’d turn their hatred on one of the smaller kids. I was stuck and slowly started cowering, ignoring my instincts to kill them. I knew it’d look suspicious if people died in another house I resided in.

It all came to a head one night when they didn’t like the dinner I cooked. Mr. Lancaster picked up his plate and threw it across the room. As it exploded against the wall, Mrs. Lancaster started screaming at me, all the other children running for safety.

My legs started moving as I slowly backed out of the kitchen. From the corner of my eye, I saw the front door open, all the kids rushing outside.

Maybe they’re going to get help.

My foster parents paid them no mind, too focused on me, the object of their hatred. Inching closer to the door to makemy escape, someone grabbed my wrist, hauling me through the doorway. Before I could look at my savior, they rushed inside, slamming the door behind them.

“He said to run.” Emily whispered, lacing her fingers through mine.

I didn’t have time to think about whohewas. I had to get the little ones away from here. “Let’s go.” I nodded, herding the children to a neighbor’s house.

Before we made it across the street, the crackling of flames filled the night sky. The kids started screaming as I watched in awe, another house of horrors going up in smoke. Neighbors came running out of their homes, attempting to shield us from the scene. Sirens blared in the distance as we were shuffled across the street. Multiple strangers consoled the children, but their efforts were wasted on me.

As I watched the house burn to the ground, it took me back to the night I killed my mother. The adrenaline pumping through my veins. The unrelenting fear burning to ash. The relief lifting the heavy weight off my chest.

I didn’t setthisfire, but I knew it was done for me.

By the quiet, blue-eyed boy whose darkness showed me the light.

Colt.

Chapter Two

Nova

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