He nodded, giving me a warm smile back. “Anything for family.”
The warmth emanating from the fireplace did little to temper the chill that had settled over me like a second skin as I thought about the impending court hearing. Three days. Three days to prepare myself for what could be the defining moment of my life.
As everyone began settling in for the night, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Fear and anxiety made strange bedfellows in my mind as I contemplated what lay ahead.
I looked around the room, taking in everyone’s faces, and wondered how I’d managed to find myself among such a motley crew. It was strange, but here with them, I felt something like belonging.
Someone clearing their throat interrupted my train of thought. It was Atlas, his eyes holding mine as he spoke, “You know we’re all here for you, right? Whatever happensin there—” he nodded towards Bastian, “We’ve got your back.”
I felt a lump form in my throat at his words, and suddenly, I couldn’t blink away the tears that had gathered in my eyes. They weren’t tears of sadness or pain, but they were a testament to the fact that Atlas’s words had touched me deeply.
“Thanks,” I muttered, my voice choking with emotion.
Atlas just smiled at me before turning his attention back to the game of cards he was playing with Faust and Merrick, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again.
I looked around the room once more, letting out a heavy sigh as I rubbed my temples. The whole situation was weighing heavily on me, and I wasn’t sure how much more I could take before I broke down completely.
Suddenly feeling claustrophobic among so many people, I got to my feet and made my way toward the door. "I'm just going for some air," I called out to no one in particular as I slipped my shoes on and stepped outside into the icy night.
The snow crunched under my feet as I walked a few paces away from the cabin, looking up at the stars, which twinkled like fragile diamonds in the sky. I took a few deep breaths, letting the chilly air fill my lungs and clear my head.
But my peace was short-lived as I heard a twig snap behind me, causing me to spin around quickly. My heart was pounding in my chest, and fear was creeping up my spine as I saw a shadowy figure approaching me.
Gareth's voice broke through the stillness of the night, "It's just me."
I let out a breath. "You scared me," I admitted.
Gareth offered me a small smile before reaching into hispocket and pulling out a cigarette. He lit it up before gesturing for me to join him.
"I can't believe you're still smoking," I said with a hint of amusement in my voice as we stood there silently, watching the smoke curl up into the air.
"You'd be surprised how little some things change," he replied cryptically. He didn't smoke often, but I'd caught him a few times back home whenever he was feeling stressed.
I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling a little irritated at his vague answer. But before I could press him further, he spoke again, "You can talk to me if something’s bothering you. I'm not a dick anymore, remember?"
"You think smoking and talking is going to solve everything?"
"No," he said firmly. "But sometimes, just having someone there who listens can make all the difference."
I plucked the cancer stick from his lips, taking a drag myself, letting the hot nicotine fill my lungs. We stood there in silence as we passed it back and forth, staring off into the night sky.
Finally breaking the silence after what felt like an eternity, Gareth took one last drag before flicking it away into the darkness. "There's no point in driving yourself insane worrying about the hearing. You're innocent. That's that."
”I’m fucking scared, Gar,” I said, letting out a long, shuddering breath. "I'm innocent, but that footage says otherwise."
The back door opened behind me, a sliver of light peeking through as both War and Thane stepped outside to join us.
“Who’s scared?” Thane asked, making a gimme gestureto Gareth, who rolled his eyes and handed him a cigarette, which he lit with the flick of his wrist.
“Probably everyone,” I said dejectedly. “I’m freaked out about going back for the hearing. You know she’ll be waiting for me.”
War nodded. “Most likely.”
Thane elbowed his brother. “Thanks, mate; that's going to make her feel loads better.”
War frowned. “I’m not going to lie to her. There’s a good chance Estelle has some shit up her sleeve, and what better time to try it than during a murder trial? She lives for the spectacle.”
I chewed on the inside of my lip nervously. “How the hell did I get myself mixed up in this crap?”
