His expression tightens.
“No,” he responds quickly. “I think you're hurt.”
I hold his gaze.
“And what if I’m both?”
His mouth opens, then closes again.
He refuses to lie to me.
“I think they tried to turn you into a victim,” he says finally. “And I think I’ve been trying to keep you safe from that.”
He looks into my eyes.
“I’d do anything for you,” he adds, his voice cracking at the end.
“I know,” I whisper. “But you can’t do this part for me.”
His eyes shine.
“Tell me what you want, and I’ll do it.”
The room goes still.
My heart pounds against my ribs.
I feel the weight of everything I lost. Everything they took. The future that disappeared in that room. The version of my life that will never exist now.
And then I hear Beau’s voice in my head.
Choose.
I inhale slowly.
“I want revenge, Seth.”
Seth’s throat moves.
“Brooke—”
“I don’t want a speech,” I cut in. “I don’t want to be told I’m strong. I don’t want to be told I’m safe.”
I look up at him.
“I want to kill them.”
Seth’s breathing changes. He doesn't look shocked.
He looks relieved.
“Okay,” he whispers.
That one word hits harder than any comfort he has tried to give me.
“I don’t want to be the final girl anymore,” I continue. “I don’t want to be hunted. I want to be like you.”
My voice steadies.
