Page 78 of Shadows Within
He smiles at me, content with my answer.
Sophia has spent countless hours seeking refuge in our house. Her parents live a different lifestyle—one I’ll never understand. It often involved her being alone. So, she’d come over, whether it was for dinner or a weekend stay, she was always welcome. My Dad never makes her feel like a friend whose time at our house is limited. If she ever asked, I know he’d take her in.
“I have to ask, how are things with Callum?” His voice changes. I know that he doesn’t love the idea of us together.
“Things are,” I sigh, “complicated.” I don’t have to look up at him to feel the disappointment in his eyes.
“I just want you to know that I’m always here to talk or listen.” He reaches for my arm. “You’re the most important thingin my life, and I’m always going to be here for you—even if we don’t see eye to eye on certain things.”
“Thanks Dad. I really appreciate that.” Hearing that gives me just enough courage to open up a little. “I just feel like, Callum has a part of him that no one else sees, because he doesn’t let them. He’s been so beaten down his whole life, and I sometimes don’t know how to properly support him.”
“That’s fair, and brave to admit, Scar. Just listen. It sounds like support is what he needs. And you’re great at that.”
“Ha, thanks.”
Julia appears with two overflowing plates. “No mushrooms for you, Scarlett.” She rests my plate down in front of me. “And mushrooms for you, Mr. Voss.”
“Thank you.” I smile and grab a fry.Yep, just as good as I remember.
“You guys need anything else?” She asks and clasps her hands together.
“I think we’re all good. Thanks,” Dad says as he reaches over for the ketchup.
It’s these little moments that I could live in forever. I eat my food and try not to think about all that’s crumbling around me.
Glove Boxes
Callum
The cool air mixed with the lingering snow creates a layer of fog on the ground. I sit outside the gym, waiting for Scarlett to finish her early morning session. I haven’t slept in over seventy-two hours, but for her, it’s worth it. Watching her keeps me awake. I don’t need any stimulants when I have her. She went in about forty-five minutes ago.I have some time to kill. I reach into the glove box and pull out her file.
I open the manila folder and read it again. They describe everything about that night on paper—from what she was wearing to who slipped the drugs in her drink.Why was she chosen? Why did she stand out to them? Maybe they ran out of girls who aren't from here to take prey on.There’s always an increased population in Millhaven with the University.
I keep my eyes on the gym door, waiting for her to come out. It took me a while to understand why she boxes. I know that it’s an outlet for her that I used to consider cute—now I find it fucking brave.What pushed her into it?Boxing isn’t something that you just fall into—you have to claw your way in. And considering Scarlett’s soft appearance, I wouldn't have guessed that it would be her thing. She’s the countries average height, five six, with skin that should be kissed and not punched.
Being pushed to the edge too many times shoved me into boxing. I didn’t adapt easily. I fought my way up to the top in different underground leagues. At first, boxing was a form of release. I’ll never forget the way I felt after I killed someone for the first time. I needed to turn all my emotions off. I didn’t want to feel the pain or guilt, just like I didn’t want to feel warm bloodall over my hands. I knew that The Society had pledges fight underground sometimes, I asked a couple of second years about it before I was even done my first week. They didn’t know where the league was, or when it was held. They were being used for their money or power, not their ability to take lives.
I quickly learned that it was every Tuesday and Thursday, behind one of the local downtown buildings. You wouldn’t know by walking past it. The men who run it don’t care about your social status—just that you’ll keep your mouth shut.
I’ve never kept track of how many people I’ve killed. That would makes each death too real. It makes them worth something, and they can’t be, not to me. Living in a small town forced me to attend most of the funerals of the people whose lives I’ve ended. I shook the hands of their loved ones and told them that I was sorry for their loss. But really, the only thing I’m sorry for is letting The Society control who I kill. If it were up to me, there would be a hell of a lot more.
Now, boxing isn’t a coping mechanism, it’s a need. A craving for more blood on my hands.
The gym door opens. A well-groomed man comes out. Immediately, I know who it is—the owner, Ricco. I’ve seen him train with Scarlett before. He’s a middle-aged Puerto Rican man with his hair parted and pushed off to one side. You can tell that he takes care of himself in an athletic way. He doesn’t seem very tall from where I’m sitting. My eyes follow him to watch what car he goes toward. He turns to mine.
He approaches my window, and I roll it down.
“Can I help you?”
I look behind him and notice the gym’s outdoor cameras. He’s probably been watching me sit here since Scarlett went in.
“Just waiting for someone,” I say.
“Oh, who are you waiting for?” The curiosity in his tone doesn’t fool me.He already knows the answer.
“Just a friend.” He leans against my car. One of the most insulting things you can do to a man is touch his car, especially when it’s as nice as mine.
“I know everyone inside, and I know who you’re waiting for.” He’s not playing nice anymore.He thinks he can intimidate me—cute.“Don’t show up here looking for her. I know who you are, I know what you do. She—” he hesitates. “She is good. She doesn’t deserve all the bad that you’ll bring into her life. The danger, the lies. I know she’s an adult and she can do what she pleases, but this willalwaysbe her safe place. And you aren’t welcome here.”
