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Small argument? I sigh inwardly at this, although my experience at work pretty much tells me it was pointless to even interfere.
Some victims are rooted so deep in their traumas they develop a strong bond with their abusers and defend them till they die. And without their statement…there’s not much anyone can do.
Before I can reply to her, I hear the small patter of feet, and then my eyes widen at the small boy running to her, hugging her thighs. He must be around five, and my heart sinks at the fear etching his features while his clothes seem too small for his form.
“Nothing to see here,” the asshole points out. My focus returns to him, and he snarls at my raised brow. “Learn to mind your business, new neighbor.”
Sometimes I really wish people could take care of such assholes without the law getting involved because we’d get rid of a lot of bastards this way.
Scars inflicted by them last a lifetime, and sometimes no matter how much love one gives to another, it’s not enough to wipe away the terrors their younger self experienced. In this, they are forever imprisoned in their grief and trauma.
Apparently, such thoughts are hideous and unacceptable, according to my godfather, who thinks everything should be done by the law. As a man who tastes such power, he would never stop and become a true killer.
Or so he says. I’ve yet to see some kind of a serial killer vigilante who hunts the bad guys and spares the innocent.
“If I hear more screams tonight, I’m calling the cops.” By how a muscle twitches on his cheek, I know he hates it, but I don’t care. “I’m in apartment twenty,” I say to no one in particular right before the man shuts the door in my face.
Maybe challenging this guy on the first day isn’t the smartest move. However, I can’t keep my mouth shut in such cases.
One more sin to add to my never-ending pile.
Finally, I reach my apartment and insert the key, unlocking it with a soft click. I fully expect the inside to be worse than the outside, so I’m surprised at the interior opening up to my view.
The small one-bedroom apartment has a tiny kitchen with relatively new equipment, the silver glistening under the bright lamps when I turn them on, and a spotless kitchen counter where I see several mugs and plates on it. It has everything from the fridge to the oven, even a mixer and blender!
The arch-like opening leads to the living room with a brown couch, a small wooden table right in front of it, and a TV hangs on the opposite wall. There are even bookshelves.
“What in the hell?” I put my suitcase aside, kicking the door shut with my foot while removing my bag and dropping it on the couch, blinking at the spotless carpet underneath me.
Even the walls are white, and some flowery smells float in the air, bringing my attention to the houseplant in the right corner, closer to the couch.
I touch the soft green leaves and recognize the indoor citrus by the smell.
Giselle is a landscape designer, so despite not having much love for the houseplants because I couldn’t take care of them, no matter how hard I tried, we had them scattered in our apartment, and her studies sort of interfered with mine.
I quickly stroll to the bedroom, turning on the light to see a huge new bed with silky bedsheets, two nightstands, and a bathroom with a bathtub.
Although the apartment is tiny, somehow it managed to include all the luxuries and make a rather comfy atmosphere all around me even though the landlord warned me I’d have to buy everything because it’s empty.
Snatching the phone from my pocket, I type a message.
THANK YOU!
My best friend replies instantly as if she was waiting for me to finally move in.
It was the plant, wasn’t it? I knew it would give me away!
Well, yes, and all the new stuff. How did you know the address?
It was Callum’s idea. You know him. If he wants something, he’ll find a way.
Gratitude settles into every bone in my body at their affection, and I sit on the couch, pressing on my phone to see the photo of Giselle and me smiling with the ocean behind us.
Rubbing the display, I promise myself to fix all of this and truly find happiness once it all ends because I still have people who I love and love me in return, and that’s worth living for.
Not until I get my revenge, though.
I owe my family this much.
