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I look at more of the objects on the floor and my heart stops completely. There’s a family picture of my mom, my dad, and me.
I know for certain that it was in my apartment the day I ran away. I kissed it and left it to my mom because I was too scared Stan wouldn’t let me keep it.
Elliot kept it.
Because he knew it meant something to you.
No, no, please, my heart, shut up.
He kept it because he’s unhealthily obsessed. He planned on finding me and forcing me to make a deal with him. His protection against my soul.
I must never forget that.
He’s no better than Sawyer.
No better than Stan.
The thoughts feel like a lie.
Because Sawyer and Stan didn’t find me pretty when everyone thought I was hideous.
Sawyer and Stan didn’t put elaborate plans in place to have me. They just jumped on the first occasion of a girl in distress. It could have been anyone.
Elliot did it because it’sme.
I swallow thickly and look at the rest. A pair of white cotton panties I must have left in his room at some point. Thankfully, they’re clean. My album ofChuckby Sum 41. I know it’s my own and not his because it’s missing the little leaflet with the lyrics. I would always take them out to read them as I listened and ended up losing them more often than not.
A lock of hair.
He definitely went into my apartment after my mom’s death and helped himself. This is the lock of hair that she kept when she cut my hair for the first time. It’s tied in a soft pink ribbon.
“Elliot,” I sigh. “You are so fucking creepy.”
I don’t bother to put the shit away. It’s all mine, after all.
Picking up the pack of cigarettes from the floor, I go to his window. I need some fresh air, maybe a walk. Then I can think about what happened last night.
He put me in a Bad Omens hoodie to sleep. Another one of his most listened to bands. I put on a pair of his boxers, not really bothering with anything else since his hoodie reaches mid-thigh, and my combat boots.
I eye my knuckle duster on his dresser, then chuckle to myself. Surely, I can catch a minute of peace without getting myself into a fight.
Opening the window, I jump out. The house is only a single story, so I don’t need to worry about hurting myself.
Holy shit, it’s cold. I should have grabbed a coat and a scarf. Maybe some pants. I’m going to freeze to death in this.
Elliot’s window opens into their backyard, and I make my way to the other side of it. For lack of a gate, they have two metal trash cans to delimitate the entrance to their property. I move one to the side and step onto the back alley. It’s not very long, and it leads straight back onto the road.
But I don’t get to make it that far.
Because Vickie and her friends are leaning against the walls of the alley, blocking the path.
It’s not like they were waiting for me. They’re just out here smoking a joint. Vickie’s house isn’t very far. She’s often in the back alley. Looking at them right now, they’ve probably just left the brothers’ house and stopped here to chill some more before all heading back to their own house to sleep off the alcohol and drugs.
So much for a calm walk for me. Kay’s bestie is with her forever on-and-off boyfriend who’s always cheating on her, and her younger sister who’s about my age. Pretending I didn’t see the three of them, I turn back around.
No need for a fight when my body is already battered from Elliot and Ethan.
“Hey!” Vickie whistles with her lips to call me, and I suddenly wish I had taken that knuckle duster with me. “Don’t act like you didn’t see us, Jade.”
