Page 18 of Hide n' Seek

“You knew this was coming,” Terrance said with a sigh as he stood, dusting his hands off on his tailored pants. “But I can’t keep you around anymore. Not like this. You’re too angry, kid. Too much of a loose cannon to be around the guys—”

“Then hire new people,” I fought in a harsh whisper. “You know I need this job. Why else would I stay here just to get pummeled into the ground? You think I’m some kind of masochist?”

Okay, fine, I was. But I only cared to suffer at the hands of one person.

Mygoddess. I’d let her divine vengeance reign on me in any way she pleased.

For the first time, Terrance let pity show on his face.

“Your father—”

“Leave him out of this,” I warned in a low growl.

Anything. I’d do just about anything so he wouldn’t find out.

Anything except take those punches.

My former mentor—and as close to a real father figure as I had—gave me a sad smile.

“We both know I can’t do that,” Terrance said. “Your father was the reason I took you in. But the reason I’m letting you go is because I care about you, kid. Trust me when I say that you have better things out there waiting for you.”

“Yeah, right,” I muttered under my breath.

There wasnothingwaiting for me out there.

Not a job. Not a family. Not…her.

“I’m serious,” Terrance said with a quirk of his lips, which was something like a fatherly smile. “Do something productive with your life. You’re still young. Don’t end up like these guys.”

I sighed, looking down at the bloodied gravel.

“I don’t want to end up likehimeither,” I murmured.

Terrance squeezed my shoulder, the warmth of his hand sinking through my torn shirt and into my aching flesh.

“Then make your own path,” he said, then added like it was a humorous afterthought. “If I ever see you on this side of town again, I’ll bust your fucking kneecap. Then your balls.”

I couldn’t stop the bark of laughter that forced its way out of my throat. But I did manage not to correct him.

Whether or not I had balls to bust wasn’t really the issue.

He helped me up, and then with a final squeeze of his hand, I was shuffling down the alley toward home.

How the fuck was I going to get that money now?

Vic

If all else fails, fight for your life.

The lights above the doors flashed green, the doors sliding slowly upward. Jenna and I ducked below them, breaking into a run along with the rest of the crowd.

I grabbed hold of her wrist, worried we’d get separated in the jostling bodies as we sprinted.

We’d need to get as deep into the park as possible before the Seekers entered the arena after us, the countdown on my watch warning with every step that we were losing our head start.

For one wild moment, the arena reminded me of the last day of summer before senior year.

Kohl, Dylan, and I had gone to an amusement park to find some cotton candy and hit the rides. It was fun—as fun as spending time with Dylan ever was, at least.

---