“I won’t forget this,” I spit, and start walking again.
I drag Adora outside, barely seeing anything in front of me.
Out front, I throw her away with a rough jerk.
She loses her balance and crashes to the ground, hands catching gravel, knees scraping hard.
She doesn’t move. Just keeps her head bowed, shoulders trembling, and stays exactly where she landed.
“Get up,” I growl.
She still doesn’t move.
“GET THE FUCK UP!”
My roar cracks the air open like thunder. And finally — finally — she lifts her head.
Tears pour down her face, but she’s not sobbing anymore. She’s just quiet.
She rises slowly, no fight left. No spark.
Why does it still hurt to look at her? Why the fuck does she still have this power over me?
“Ghost,” Bones says from behind, stepping out onto the gravel.
“Shut the fuck up,” I snap without turning. “This has nothing to do with you. Your precious Fun House stays clean. You come near me, I shoot.”
Adora glances to the side and realizes there’s a crowd.
Perfect.
I pull my gun, and raise it. Point it right between her eyes.
Someone curses behind me.
I don’t care.
I need to finish this. Break her open. Burn the remains. Scrape her out of my soul.
“You’re nothing,” I say, my voice a blade drawn slow. “You really thought I fell for you again? Thought you had me wrapped around your little finger? You’re not fucking special. You’re not bright, or pure, or untouchable.”
I force a smile.
“You’re just a used-up cunt who got easy. You spread your legs fast. Didn’t even make me work for it. Let me fuck you in every hole like a greedy little whore. Moaned for it. Begged for it. Told you you didn’t have to, and still you gave it all.”
Her eyes are glassy and her hands shake, but she stays standing.
I lower my voice, and sink the knife deeper.
“So fucking desperate to be loved, huh? Daddy didn’t want you. Mommy hated you. Your ex couldn’t replace you fast enough.”
“Even Liz ran from you. Your precious little sister, who you broke yourself for, took a scholarship and didn’t look back. Guess what, bitch. I’m the one who dangled that scholarship in front of her. I wanted to get you all alone, and she took it faster than she could blink.”
Her mouth falls open on a silent gasp.
“You have no friends. No family. Nothing.”
My hand tightens on the gun.
