“Solve it, no.” She paused, a thoughtful expression crossing her features. “But we’re trying. That’s all we can do. Give people a choice.”
I nodded slowly. I hoped she was right. I hoped that what we were doing here actually mattered.
When we were done for the day, Zafyra and I waited at the subway station. My head resting in the crook of her neck, her hand around my waist while her fingers made small circles on the exposed line of skin between my pants and my top, my hand clutching her side like I was afraid she could slip out from my grip any moment.
Strangely, being in public – even a crowded subway station – felt less overwhelming with her by my side. I still avoided eye contact with the surrounding people, but when my anxiety whispered that they were all staring, I told myself they were probably staring at her. Who could blame them? Her dark curls fell loosely down her shoulders, dark red lips curled into a slight smirk, obsidian eyes scanning her surroundings the way she always did. Assessing. Investigating.
“Wrong answer, Eduard.” A huff beside me made my head snap up. As always, my first thought was that this random stranger must be annoyed with me or looking down on something I did, but she wasn’t talking to me.
“You wouldn’t honor my memory if I died.” The girl, who looked barely younger than me, gave a firm tug on her boyfriend’s arm. He flinched, but otherwise, kept his gaze focused on the floor. “Honoring me implies I’d be an afterthought lingering in your mind, while you would move on,” she continued, narrowing her eyes. Her shrill voice was unpleasant to my already heavy head. “If I died, you would fall into a deep depression. You would never dare look at another woman, not even find another purpose. Your life would be meaningless and miserable like it was before me. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, my love.” The boy smiled at her. “Forgive me for thinking there would be life after you. What a foolish thought.”
He was tall, handsome – dark hair and a sharp jawline, with bright blue eyes. He could’ve been a model, but something in his eyes was missing. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
The girl caught me staring and narrowed her eyes. Instantly, I lowered my gaze.
The subway arrived. I tightened my grip on Zafyra’s waist before moving my arm to take her hand in mine, subtly guiding her to a place at the end of the car. She raised her eyebrows, but didn’t protest.
We sat down. To my horror, the odd couple sat down opposite us.
I took a few deep breaths, keeping my gaze focused on the floor – but there was no escaping the disturbing conversation in front of me.
From the corner of my eye, I glanced over at Zafyra. Her expression startled me.
She was leaning slightly forward, one finger to her chin, staring at the guy as if mentally trying to make him meet her gaze. But his full attention was caught by his girlfriend who grabbed his chin and forcefully turned his head her way, talking to him in a pointed voice. He swallowed visibly, nodding along and smiling at what she said.
My hands balled into fists. Rage flooded my veins, but I wasn’t sure why – something about this seemed different from an average abusive relationship.
I barely noticed the robotic voice announcing our stop. Zafyra stood so abruptly, turning both their gazes toward us.
My heart raced in my ears when I followed Zafyra to the exit, the carriage suddenly feeling too small and suffocating for us all.
She stopped, letting the couple pass in front of us with a small nod. After another suspicious glance, they passed her – first the girl, then the boy.
Zafyra inhaled sharply when he passed her. Then, before anyone could stop her, she grabbed his wrists, clutching like a vine. Her nails dug into his skin with surprising ease.
In an instant, the young man stopped walking, spinning around to meet her gaze with widened eyes.
Zafyra didn’t let go, only tightened her grip.
“Hey.” Unrest played in my stomach when I nudged her. Muffled annoyed noises behind us for blocking the door. “Zafyra. What are you doing?”
“Eduard!” The girl turned around sharply, her eyes shooting daggers as she violently yanked the boy toward her. Zafyra finally released her grip on him, letting the poor guy stumble into his girlfriend’s arms. Immediately, I sneaked past her to exit the car, filling my lungs with fresh air.
“He’s mine!” the girl snapped, putting her hands on her hips as she took a threatening step toward Zafyra. “Go get your own.”
Oh, fuck.
Zafyra’s eyes narrowed. I watched the veil of darkness gather behind them.
The girl’s face fell. Immediately, she took a step back. Instantly, Eduard wrapped his arms around her like a built-in protective mechanism.
Zafyra growled – a low sound rising in the back of her throat, and I knew this wouldn’t end well for anyone. From the corner of my eye, I spotted people staring.
“Hey. Zafyra, baby, don’t.” I quickly wrapped my arms around her, squeezing as tight as I could while nuzzling my head in the crook of her neck. “Please,” I whispered, my voice thin with desperation. “Not here. Not now.”
She was physically stronger than me – all I could do was hope she would listen. If she didn’t, she was seconds away from beating that girl to pulp – and a part of me wanted to join her, only barely overpowered by my rational brain.
