Why would he do that? After everything I put him through,wasputting him through? Why commemorate something like that? A moment when I lost all semblance of control.
I snapped my mouth shut and turned back to the television, but my mind was far from able to concentrate on anything on that screen.
He had a tattoo artist permanently put that memory on his skin. My worst fear had come true, and he wanted to keep it forever. It was as if he were saying ‘See? You did good, no matter what you think, here’s the proof.’
I worked my jaw, my body melting into the couch, my muscles relaxing of their own accord to the point where I had to look down and stare at my now relaxed hands holding onto that giraffe.
The motion was familiar, and not because I had felt it before I was taken, but because I had felt it after.
I hadn’t realized how tense I had been until he sat down, and so many other moments flooded through me. Every moment since coming to this house. It was as if my body hadn’t recognized it until now. All of those moments when the tension had simply…melted away.
I glanced over at him again, taking in the way he was sitting. Relaxed, spread out, comfortable.
They hadn’t been lying, had they? Everett’s been right behind me since we left that compound.
I swallowed, feeling the tears burn the back of my throat. Why hadn’t I noticed?
~~~
October 31st, 2022
The house was abuzz with joy and laughter.
I was curled into the arm of the couch, watching as Rae, Emily, and Evelyn got everything ready for our movie marathon.
Was I nervous? A little, yeah, but I used to love horror movies. Slasher films, all of that stuff, I loved it. I should still be able to enjoy it now, right?
Right.
So, I settled into my spot, Rover close to my chest, Lucy laying just under my feet, Merlin on the coffee table, spending time in his little house. I watched them set up a table filled with treats. Chocolates, cookies, and an entire bowl filled with berry Trolli gummy worms.
“My favorite,” Emily beamed, winking at me. She fell into the other side of the couch, her neon green, giant dinosaur slippers nearly knocking over the drinks Rae had just set on the table.
Rae gave her a stern, but playful look, wearing a cute set of black and red plaid pajamas herself, her hair up in a messy bun.
Emilly only smiled wider. “I love my monster feet. Makes me feel unstoppable.”
“You’re unstoppable all right,” Evelyn commented, throwing herself into the chair. “Or should I say ‘unstompable’,” she said, her eyes shining brightly. “Eh? Right?”
I felt a smile grace the edges of my lips at her lame joke. The more time I spent with her, the more I realized how silly she was. Badass in the streets, big nerdy softy behind closed doors. It was comforting.
“You’re ridiculous,” Rae said, falling into the other chair with a big bowl of popcorn on her lap. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
Evelyn scowled. “It does. It makes perfect sense. Emily, tell her it makes sense.”
Emily pulled up the hood of her neon pink robe, revealing the unicorn ears and golden horn on top. “I brought the slippers;the jokes are all on you two.”
I took in her entire outfit, loving every bit of it. A bright pink robe that fell to her knees, her neon monster slippers, her black silk tank top and shorts, her hair falling over her shoulders in waves. God, she was gorgeous. They all were. Rae’s beautiful hair nearly glowed in the light of the television, and Evelyn? She was sporting just a pair of sweats that hung low on her hips, and a purple crop top, her hair also up in a bun. None of them had makeup on, and from what I could tell, Rae was the only other one with a scar on her face.
A stray bullet, just like me.
I looked at myself, studying the sweats, sweater, and socks I had chosen to wear. I know it was movie night, but I hadn’t tried at all. I had lots of cute pajamas I could wear, I just hadn’t. Not since I got back.
But what better time to try and get used to my new body than with these three?
I glanced over at Emily and held up a hand before pushing myself to a stand, only to pause when I went to pick up Merlin. I glanced towards the bedroom and back. He’d be fine, right? It was just a quick trip to the bedroom. He was safe with them.
After another second of hesitation, I turned for my bedroom, leaving him where he was. I had to learn.
