HARLOW
"Are you on guard, love?"
Boner sat down beside me and stared out at the lights of the city.
I didn't flinch because he was right, Iwason guard. I'd heard his footsteps approaching. Knew it was him without looking around. The fact he made no attempt to be stealthy was a hint he wasn't coming to attack me.
If he was, he'd become acquainted with the knife I had concealed.
"Just getting some air," I said, watching traffic lights change from red to green.
Somewhere in the distance a siren sounded, followed by a couple of horns and a steady thrum of traffic. The soothing sounds of the city. People going about their regular, ordinary lives. So far distant from the last few months.
The last couple ofyearsif I'm honest. I couldn't remember the last time I thought life was ordinary.
As a kid, I used to hope mine wouldn't be ordinary. Just goes to show how naive kids are. I'd almost pay money to go back to that, if only so I could hug my sister again. Run around our apartment playing silly games. Be carefree.
Back in the days before we knew what our father was like.
If I could go back to those days, I'd probably stab him in the balls. That would have avoided a lot of heartache.
"It's hard not to fall in love with this place." Boner put an arm around me.
I leaned against him. "I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. I'm sure London is very nice, though." In my experience, cities each had their own personality, their own flavor. Each unique, but all hustle and bustle.
"When this is over, I'll take you for a visit," he said. "Show you the tower. Big Ben. Laugh at a few guards with those furry hats."
I was sure he knew what those furry hats were called, but he was humoring me.
"I'd like that," I said. "Maybe we can pop down to Stonehenge and sacrifice someone."
He chuckled. "Did you have anyone in particular in mind?"
I glanced over and smiled. "No one I currently live with."
I stared back out at the city. "Honestly, by the time we go there, anyone I'd sacrifice will be dead. A long time ago."
"That's the way," he said approvingly. "Won't be long now. On the other hand, maybe we shouldn't be in too much of a hurry."
"Oh?" I asked, sure this was leading somewhere.
"Once the last name is ticked off on your list, what are you going to do for a hobby?" he said, joking lightly.
"I've been thinking about that," I admitted. "I know there are others like him out there, but maybe it's time to hang up my vigilante cap and gown. Let someone else take it from here."
"You have someone in mind?" he asked again.
"I might," I agreed. "There's a couple of people I've been keeping my eye on. What about you? Are you going to keep hunting down predators?"
"I don't know." He leaned back, tipping his face up toward the sky. "I'm starting to think I've seen enough blood for one lifetime. Maybe the next thirteen point two-five lifetimes."
"That's very specific," I remarked.
"I'm a very specific kind of guy," he grinned. "I'm sure Archer would have some reason for it. Or maybe I just plucked the number out of my ass. Either way I feel like I've paid my… I don't know, my penance, if you will. After seeing what my mom went through, I lost my shit. I guess I finally found it again."
He looked over to me and smiled softly.
"Right," I said slowly. "I think that might be it. For a long time, I didn't think I had anything to live for but now…"
