Page 26 of Scarred in Silence
“I don’t think you deserve them, though,” I admit.
She pouts.
“You see. You still haven’t remembered who the fuck you belong to.”
I slip my lighter out of my pocket and I conjure the fire to life, hovering the envelopes above the open flame.
“It’s a shame. I would have loved to know what she had to say to you.”
I set the envelopes on fire, and she stays still. Like a good fucking girl. Her knees are to her chest, and tears roll down her beautiful cheeks. I’ve always loved how she looks when she cries.
The smell of burnt paper fills the cell, and the ashes fall to the cement in front of me. I drop the corner and let it burn. Fuck what she had to say. All Astra needs is me.
I step over to the bed, and she buries her head further into her knees. I fist her hair, holding her head back to look at me.
“Such a good fucking girl.” I plant a kiss on her forehead. She presses her eyes shut, unable to look at me.
That will all change soon enough. I climb up the ladder and slide it up, locking my Siren up, yet again.
* * *
The engine vibrates as I pull up to the notary’s office. I have no doubt he’s a shady guy who is used to doing business with Gideon, but I don’t give a fuck. I’m here to claim what’s mine… legally.
I hop off the bike and walk into the prestigious office building. It is mainly black, with beige accents. My boots squeak against the marble floors. I make it to suite 109 and I enter.
Gideon waits in a chair, smiling big. Across from him is a smug, arrogant prick. I don’t know him, but I can tell.
“Gideon,” I nod.
“Lucien,” he nods back.
“Please take a seat,” the prick says.
I don’t. I do whatever the fuck I want. I just want to get this over with, so I can put my plan into effect.
“Well, then…. Let’s begin,” Gideon says cheerfully.
I slide my pen out of my pocket and get to work. I know Mrs. Crowe will be so elated to hear the news.
9
Astra
The water runs through my hair and down into a small drain in the concrete floor. The water will flow through the pipes and eventually find a new home. I will never get the opportunity.
Lucien burned the only hope I had right in front of me. Evelyn still cares. I thought everyone had given up on me. She didn’t. She’s a loyal friend.
I spent all night crying. I felt doomed.
The cold water has become the norm. There is never hot water here, which sucks, but I think this is better for my health anyway. Even though I don’t give a fuck about that.
If he let me go right now, I’d find more drugs. I’ve been in my head for days now, unable to think about anything other than my feelings. My feelings of shame, hopelessness, and sadness.
I tried to sing a song, but I just felt psychotic.
I tried to sing “Imagine” by John Lennon. It has always been the one song that makes me feel like there is hope, but unfortunately, there is none. Not here, at least. I don’t even know where here is.
I cut the water off and take in the scent of my honey-scented hair. The one fortunate thing I have down here.
