Taking a breath, I step inside. Instantly, my legs feel like jello as I try to make it to her.
Despite the reassurance, she still growls out her frustrations. I’ve never seen her this mad. Reaching for her, hoping to change her mind, she doesn’t allow for it.
She’s my strength, and I’m her weakness.
This is going to go the same way it has any time something has happened to me.
Whenever our foster siblings bullied me, Raven wouldn’t hesitate to knock out a tooth in revenge. One time, she beat an older kid while he was in bed. Hit him with a sock full of pebbles, just because he cut off a chunk of my hair. She’s always been violent, but only when it came to protecting me when I couldn’t do it myself.
A sick sensation pours into my stomach as I watch her punch in numbers to the large weapon safe, numbers she shouldn’t know.
She reaches inside without hesitation, pulling out one of his hunting rifles. “I’m going to make sure he can’t do it again. He doesn’t deserve his dick if he’s not going to act like a man. He can be a disfigured monster for all I’m concerned.”
“He’s not a—”
“Penelope, I’m sorry to have to spell it out to you, but what happened between you two isn’t normal. You’re a seventeen-year-old girl who…” She shakes her head. “Who isn’t used to real kindness.Thatkind of kindness… He’s an animal. Even when it hurt, he didn’t stop. That’s rape, Pen.” She grits her teeth, wincing like she’s the one in pain. “He’s a monster wearing human skin. I’m sorry I didn’t see it. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you this time.”
“Raven…” Gasping her name, I cover my mouth to try to contain my emotions. “We’re so close to getting out of here.”
In six weeks, we’ll be out of the system, and we can do something with ourselves. No more running, no more people. We can get past this. Whatever it takes, I’ll move on. Even if it’s really hard, I’ll forget. Isn’t that enough?
She ignores the fact, reaching for a box to pull out two bullets. One in case she misses, or another to kill him? With her, I can’t tell.
“Pack a bag. Grab something of value. He owes you fifty dollars.” She frowns at the rifle, trying to figure out how itworks. “Take the pill and leave the packaging. Let her figure out what happened. After that, we’re leaving once he gets what he’s coming.”
“Raven—”
She squeezes the gun, her jaw clenching. “It’s my fault for leaving your side. Let me do this. Otherwise…” She swallows hard. “I’m never going to forgive myself.”
Heart aching, I know her like the back of my hand. She’s serious once she sets her mind on something. Even if it’s murder, she’ll spill blood if that’s what it takes to feel better.
* * *
As soon as we’re off the bus, Raven’s taking my hand in hers, walking us deeper into the town like she already knows it.
Willowbrook Ridge. A small dot on the map. Another town for us to act invisible until suspicion rises.
She stops when she spots a diner. Maplewood Diner. I should’ve known. She’s always looking for somewhere warm to blend in. Personally, I think we stick out like sore thumbs.
Entering the diner, we are greeted by delicious smells. Not wanting to set my stomach off, I breathe through my mouth and hope I won’t taste the food I know I won’t be eating.
Raven leads, claiming a booth. Stuffing our backpacks beneath our feet, she finally relaxes. Well, as much as she knows how to.
A waitress strolls up with menus, her name tag reading Eva. She’s all smiles, greeting us.
“Just coffee. Black.” Raven doesn’t bother looking at the menu, handing it right back to her. “Please.”
Coffee is cheap. It helps keep the hunger at bay.
“Thank you.” Muttering the words, my attention drifts out to the glass windows at our side. The sky is full of clouds. Looks like it could rain.
Staring at my reflection, I grimace at the person looking back. I should have taken a nap on the bus while the seats were comfortable.
I, no,welook terrible.
Eva returns with our cups. She pours our cups full, pulling out creamer from her apron pocket. Her smile is soft. “Comes with the drink for no extra. Just in case you change your mind.”
She doesn’t linger, moving away when someone calls her name.
