“Nine times?”I frown when she bobs her head, and can’t help but blurt, “That’s more than a coincidence.”
“Right?”she snaps and holds her hands away from her body.
“Still, it’s fucked up, Mercy.You can’t stop talking because of bad timing.Every second there are a shitload of accidents and none of them are because of words you throw into this world.Maybe it’s some sort of your own limitations, a trigger, or you being susceptible to things.”I shrug.“I have no clue or experience with ASD.The things I’ve read about ASD are that there’s a wide range of symptoms, and they also vary in levels when it comes to social communication, behavior, and sensitivities.I’m not trying to judge or anything, but maybe you shouldn’t give a fuck if others get hurt and just speak your mind.”
Her lips part and her eyes go wide.The corner of my mouth twitches with contained laughter due to her stunned expression.The humor drains from me when I remember the bruises covering her body.
“My finger was number nine I’m guessing.”Pointing said finger in her direction, I add, “Those bruises on your body?”
Her gaze connects with mine and she swallows hard before she whispers, “Eight.”
“Fucking hell,” I growl.“Who did it?”
“Linus.”
Who the hell is Linus?I wonder and keep staring at her while my mind is trying to go over everyone I know from her uncle’s club.
Her voice is softer than a whisper when she adds, “Otto.”
“Otto too?Linus and your uncle kicked the shit out of you?”I check.
Her head bobs.
“Why?”
Fuck.I might not get an answer to that question due to the fact that it’s not easily explained.
“Me.”
Double fuck, maybe it fucking is.
“Linus and Otto beat you up because of who you are?”
She places a hand over her heart.“Issues.”
Anger overflows my brain.Some people are worthless scum to judge others, thinking they’re superior.
“Is it why you became homeless and came here?”
Shoving a flat hand into the space between us, she lets it tilt from side-to-side.
“A little bit to do with it,” I guess.
Giving me a small smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, she states with a load of weariness, “Shit pile.”
Releasing a sigh, I don’t think and simply reach out to pull her into a hug and rumble, “Life is a huge shit pile, princess.It wouldn’t be living if everything was squeaky clean and smooth sailing.”
