Devote [book 1]

28

When you try to stitch something back together -- thinking it'll fix it -- there'll always be a hole. Somewhere around that stitch there will be a broken part or a missing piece.

I always wondered how it felt like to have two loving parents. My mom was both a father figure and mother figure in my life, but sadly she died. My father abandoned me, took the cowards way out.

But when he contacted me and threatened me, it made that little piece, and made it bigger.

Remembering that he caused Cristiano to get shot, I knew that he had power. He had connections. Powerful ones at that.

Me: what do you want? Are you going to shoot another one of my friends? Haven't you done enough.

Father: did you think that that boy getting shot was a giant thing? I could do much worse darling, watch that mouth of yours. You'll see what tricks are up my sleeve. Have you met Mr. Green yet? Lovely man isn't he, what about that truck driver? Poor boy didn't live.

I dropped my phone. It hit the floor with a thump. My heart beat accelerated and it felt like it was going to explode. My face went pale and my body started to shake.

This man, the man who's supposed to be my father, caused all these bad things to happen.

I picked up my phone to see another message.

Father: I'm guessing you did. Did Mr. Green not teach you a lesson? Maybe I should get him to do more, maybe for more money.

I threw my phone across the room and saw it crack. I went to the bathroom to clean my face, to take a shower and get rid of how disgusting I feel.

This girl staring back at me in this mirror is not me. It's someone else. I was someone who wouldn't take anything from anyone, I was better.

I punched the glass and saw it all shatter to pieces. It went everywhere; on the floor and sink. My reflection was still looking back at me on those broken pieces.

I stomped on them with my bare feet until they were both numb.

Blood made a trail on the floor. I walked to get in the shower, drops of blood following.

Once the water hit me, I felt the pain in my feet and hand. The blood covered water going down the drain.

The bathroom door opened and Lucas walked in.

I tensed. I could see his blurred shadow, he was looking at the floor. I could only imagine his reaction.

The shower door opened and he stared at my body. He was inspecting it for any cuts or bruises.

My bloodied knuckles were only visible to the naked eye, he couldn't see under my feet.

He looked in my eyes, searching for answers. His quietness scared me, he was never one to be quiet in a scene like this. He would always voice his thoughts but this time only his quietness greeted me.

Lucas inhaled and exhaled deeply.

"What happened?" He asked. I wanted to answer him, to tell him everything but I didn't want to get him involved. I didn't want to put him in more danger than he already is unknowingly.

Instead, I stayed silent. He kept his stoic expression and cold eyes. Not once breaking.

"Please leave," I said quietly.

He didn't move a muscle.

"Please. Leave," I said more loudly.

Not a twitch. He stayed still again.