O

a nurse said

emembered myself

ed softly, avoidi

to clean and properly stitch him up. I s

the moment our eyes met, I knew this wasn't his first scar. The way he carried himself, despite the pain, was proof of a man

't get him o

eight of

ct and a jolt raced through my che

saw

amie asked fr

d that out loud. I

ied. He looked at me for

concern etched over his features. "He can't be g

, I quickly rushe

, it's not

ile on his face. "You don't need to exp

wledgement of his

I punched out and slipped my ID badge into my back pocket. My body ached with

ay to the corner store. The bells jingled overhead as I pushed in and grabbed the

red cashier asked fro

and. This six-pack is his tradition. His vice. And every t

ets littered with shattered bottles and shady

said approaching me. "

ife for comfort. After a while, I reali

-down apartment, I unlocked th

id as I walked in, hi

said, passing th

hing you're good at. Now get out." With that he turned agai

room, closed the d

, for the

the old mattress like a child fleeing the storm. My body hurt, but

ing a

i

beard. The massive height. He was a giant of

ok me for a moment. But it was his b

I get him o

s. Stupid, even.

able to have. And not just anyone. A dangerous man. A man who exudes powe

es, I could still feel the

aze remained

ked at them. And

d screen barely registered my touch as I scrolled through my notifications. N

from an unknown numb

t," a male voice sai

ied. "Who am

skipped a beat. "We're calling to inform

no

gret to inform you that we have decided to go with other c

ong moment and then, "Mr

n people called me a name that my fa

of luck in your future endeav

lin

linked

m before my eyes, c

ect

I even b

to the side of the bed. My chest ached differently now-a hollow type of pain

I was so

known better

s, dreaming about escape? A b

the cracked paint lines for

This rotting building. My father's s

this world, can I?" I mutte

ess, I couldn't stop

I pulled the thin blanket over me, trying to shut the world out. B

omeone...

back of my mind-me, snuggled into the side of

st time in a lo

eamed o

asn't a place,

amt o