a's

but the night was already over and I'd grown so used to waking up in the wee

r the littlest things. For someone who had little to no idea of wha

back, legs slung over mine and his breaths tickling her hair.

if Beatrix got

the nightstand in front

had to

his arms tightened around me f

like that my whole life. It m

he lay on his back,

leeper." I smi

belongings thrown across seve

ouse and found it crumpled on the f

some tear Bastain had left when

t, my barely surviving jacket and

" And then

**

ling and numbing. I couldn't bel

ot

anger non

gs battled for dom

ast lived for myself even

see him again and that I'd so

ed and died as I rea

purse for the keys

ing on my cheek registered. "Yo

give Beatrix an answer as I

ou, girl. Where w

she wouldn't

ashed into me, sh

overnigh

. Beatrix would never question my means of g

to a gleeful, cheery smile, too bright to be genuine. "Tha

its flavor. It was a way of protecting

ays did when she heard the endearment

you, Mia

p and tears well up in my

room and closed the door gently so as

toilet lid and spilling the remaind

tiles, taking deep br

e sick shitshow called life but

d loved me, like genuinely l

d I wish it would have r

other had spiraled through different phases. She began seeing different men and go

tood that a part of her had died with Dad in that accident but I couldn't help

night I'd had but I couldn't reme

se suffo

work. Dad would always say this all

ep when

he really

ok a bath, wore her clothes and her work bag from her little desk in the corner of h

loor where I'd taken it off and press

ht flooded my mind a

ly wasn't

n my dresser and wal

sniffing a lin

, I have a surprise for you." She said, giving me a

past her, her creepy grin touching m

ka

**

etters. The familiar stench, sweat and anticipation filled

t the stairwell for protection in case the fights got too

e best way. I usually wouldn't stomach violence but working here had made me toughen up a bit

r who didn't make us wear tight un

k in my clothes and

Nobody really noticed me, probably because I usually kept my hoodi

o introduce you to the fighters f

ped and the cr

verybody knows him. Make som

ers straight-out yelling as "Jude D

he announcer

duced to only light laughter and conversat

s finally returned to

hold their breath. W

des

I knew that things were about to

odie seemed to glide towards the

ook off the cape with the stealthiness of a panth

, my legs had wrapped

name, turned and I got a full vie

s he do

as hap

supposed t

if he belonged in the ring

es met for a brief moment, surprise, r

e air. But as I watched him move with skill and determination, I couldn't help but feel a stran

hie stepped

s to the others." She exp

meet the eyes of the man you s

I turned briefly to look back at Bastian in

e liked wh

hat thought was off a

ncing Hades the winner. Spectators ordere

gh money by the e

ed quietly cleari

hadn't known someone was waiting as I

e my shirt

anding there, hands in his pockets looking relaxed li

you left this morning. I

nking he was a

ected him to strike

se he wanted his s

voice c

t give me your address.

ant you to

at him in

do you wa

ome wit

choking on my spit, co

came out on

ome wit

ething like that with suc

why?" I was

I saved you from th

h.

he bring

bringing up our

but

want to cash in on it now." He rattled off, taking a sip of the whiskey in his gla

cu

hat do y

already. Come

Nokia broke the tense silence

a was almost empty. It was just me, Sophia, Bastian

Melia,

way from my ear at t

es furrowed

home right now, I

go home right now. If you could te

silence

a bus, train or whatever and get your ass he

with the phone in my hand and a f

e but she was still my mot

her words t

y, I have a su

feel right but I

his foot and that was eno

clean up here?" I squeaked to Sop

back somehow. I have to deal

rounding the counter, walking quickly

stares burned my b