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“Is this Mia?”
“Yes, who’s this?”
“My name’s John, I’m a friend of Ellie’s. She worked for you until the place—Hellfire—burned, right?”
Down the hall, I hear raised voices, and I try and block them out as the man talks.
“Hold on,” I say.
I cut him off because I want to get away from this place, away from everyone. If only escaping the pain inside me was possible by running away, I’d go to the other end of the Earth, but I’ve been running already and it hasn’t helped. How can you run from yourself?
There’s another reason I can’t run.
Christian.
Because no matter where I go, Christian will still be there. Inside me, lodged deep where I can’t get him out.
I force my head to the call and ask, “Is she all right?”
“Doing much better, but she’s been asking about you.”
And that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to visit her. Then I’m . . . I don’t know what I’m going to do. Steal my cousin’s car and get out of town? Even for a few days? It’s not running, as it won’t be forever, but I need some space to think and breathe and be.
But that’s a pipe dream. They’ve been following me, these assholes. No. One asshole, I amend.
Christian.
At least, he has people following me and my car. Which I don’t have and I’m sure they’re following me when I’m with Christian as added security.
But you know who they aren’t following?
Theo.
If they see Theo’s car, then no one’s going to follow, right? They’ll think it’s him.
My therapist would tell me I’m not facing the inner demons I create. But right now, she can go fuck herself.
“I’ll be at the hospital,” I say, “before visiting hours end.”
The man laughs heartily. “When I say better, I mean better.”
Behind me Christian calls out my name, snagging my attention along with all the wrath and anger and pain I have.
“Where is she?” I ask the man calling.
Christian calls out, “Mia.”
“Who’s that,” the man asks.
“Some idiot who thinks I’m going to marry him. Look, text me the address. I’ll come see her.” And I hang up.
“Goddamn it, Mia, stop ignoring me.” Christian says as the phone lights up.
The address is a building near Hellfire and I toss my phone at my bag before whipping about to glare at Christian.
“Me ignoring you should be a sign.”
“Sweetness.” He comes to a stop right in front of me.
