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I clench my jaw, my molars cracking from the force. I say nothing, because I don't know what to say. I'm fucking emotionless. I don't care about people, besides my boys. The most I've had that I could even consider a relationship is with Thea, and she could fall off a cliff tomorrow, for all I care.
My hand can't help but clutch Vera's shirt tighter at the thought of her jumping off a bridge.
I don't… I don't want it to happen.
I release her shirt, giving her a small shove away from me. "Want. Wanted. I really don't fucking care," I sneer, the lie flowing from my tongue with ease.
She frowns at me, and I swear I see a lick of disappointment in her eyes. "I really hate you, Malik, you know that?"
"Good. Go sleep in the backyard, then." I walk back to the fridge, opening it up and looking for anything to eat, even though I know there's not a damn thing in here. All my dad and Vera's mom do is eat out. They couldn't even stock up the fridge before they left. Sure, they gave us money. But who the hell do I look like, pushing a grocery cart around the store?
Her hands press against my back, and she shoves me. I don't move an inch.
"Why'd you even pick me up, then, huh? Why not just leave me out there to walk endlessly through the night? Why care, if you fucking hate me so much?" Her growls are pained, like a wounded animal.
I turn my head, staring at her over my shoulder. "Maybe I should have left you out there. Let the dead take you away."
Her face turns red, and she flicks the nearly burnt-out cigarette at my face. The barely lit cherry nicks my cheek before tumbling to the ground.
My nostrils flare, and I feel my restraint grow thin.
Vera can see it, too. Her jaw goes slack, and she shuffles back a bit.
My boot steps forward, and I smash the cigarette under my boot. "Vera?" I ask quietly.
She says nothing to me, her rapid blinking full of terror.
"Run," I mouth.
27
VERA
Run
I spin around, sprinting through the living room. I take the first left in the next hall, barely remembering my way around this side of the house.
I can hear his footsteps, and my heart whooshes in my ears as I slam the door, slapping on the light to the massive library. I lean my back against the door, breathing through my tremors. I press my hand on the handle behind me, flicking the lock closed.
I can't hear him anymore. His footsteps have dissipated, and so have his heavy, angry, growling breaths.
I turn around, pressing my palm and ear to the door to listen.
I crush my lips shut as I hold my breath, listening, waiting.
"Boo." His voice is muffled on the other side of the door, but it still startles me. I leap back, looking left to right. For any escape possible.
It sounded like his voice was right there. Right against my ear.
"There's no way out of the library, baby sister. You can search all you want. You're in the innermost part of our lovely castle. Now, you can open the door. Or I can break it down, but I don't think my father would be too happy to come home to that. Do you?"
I squeeze my hand into a fist, my fingers thumping against my palms. I'm nervous. I'm so fucking nervous.
What's going to happen if I open that door?
"Go away." My voice is shaky, barely audible as I speak the words.
He growls on the other side of the thick wood. It's massive, extending from the floor to the ceiling, the size of two doors put together. The wood is dark, with carvings in each panel.
