“The simple explanation is that a sparrow symbolizes hope.”
He hums, “And the complex explanation?”
“It’s also believed to be good luck when you see a sparrow. I’ve always had incredibly bad luck. I won't get into it all, but I started to believe it was because of my father. That I inherited bad luck because of all of his sins.”
I pick up a leather belt and trace my fingers against the seams. I take a deep breath to inhale the rich scent before I continue. “So, I figured with that logic, I would kill two birds with one stone.”
“Was that a purposeful pun?” He cocks an eyebrow.
“Would you expect anything else?” I snort.
He nods along, “What is it that you had hope for, Harpy?”
“Hope that I’d eventually rid the world of the vile creatures that are preying on the vulnerable.”
“That’s a high hope.”
“I agree.” I shrug and divert my attention back to the belt. “Are you going to fuck me in here?” I finally asked the question that popped into my head the moment I noticed the contents.
“Not tonight. You need some rest.”
“Oh.” I hate that the disappointment in my features is visible enough, he quickly adds.
“I will, I promise. I want nothing more than to help you get out of that complicated little head of yours. But I value yourhealth and seeing as you don’t remember parts of last night after Teddy and Brandon took you- A good night's rest is for your own good.”
“I understand.” Although I see his reasoning, it still stings to be rejected by him at this moment.
“Let’s get you to bed, and I’ll have Teddy get more answers from Darren tonight. Tomorrow we can work on Deangelo.”
Back to business I see, “Okay boss.” I cut my words sharply and rushed from the room.
“Zoe!” He calls after me, but I ignore him before locking myself in my room, pushing the dresser in front of it to prevent him from trying to enter.
I curl into bed at once and neglect a shower all together. I just need to lick my wounds, and sleep, and tomorrow will be better. Maybe Max is right, I’m sure he didn’t mean to make me feel embarrassed. However, after having such an open conversation I figured that maybe he’d be willing to give into the urges I know he’s also having. I wanted to just blame myself and say that I read it all wrong, but I am not so naive.
Max knocks on the door and calls my name a few times, but I close my eyes and let the sleep take me before I could give into his calling.
Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow I won't make a fool of myself. Tomorrow I will be back to the killing drone they need me to be.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow.
29
Displacement
Zoe
I jolted out of bed to a loud crash, confused, panicked, and very sweaty. “What the hell— Dean!” I shriek when I see that he has busted my door completely off of its hinges and the dresser is in pieces on the floor, my once nicely folded clothes thrown about. “What the fuck is your damage?” He just stood there, staring at me with nothing to say.
I throw my hands in the air and go to pick out a pair of pants realizing I must have stripped off my bottoms in my sleep. I look back up to see the other three brothers had huddled in behind Dean. “Am I not allowed just a single fucking moment of peace?” I pin my withering glare on Max who doesn’t even move a muscle. They are all frozen in place, still not a single word has been uttered from any of them. Worry flooding my nerves I still my movements, “Okay, what happened?” They all exchange nervous glances and then Brandon passes me a familiar journal and a folded-up piece of paper.
“Did you read this journal?” I scoff.
“No!” They all rush out, “Not the journal. But that paper did fall out, and we were hoping you could explain it.” Brandon adds.
“Okay?” I stretch out the word, suspicion visible in my expression. I unfold it and read the words carefully.
“You’ll never escape me.” -KH
