Page 3 of Breaking Boston

Lux and Donovan are gone, and they're not coming back to save me. This is my hell, and as long as I stay here, I'll never be able to escape it.

Bobby fucking Taylor better watch out. He and Debbie have angered the beast inside of me, and now I'm coming for them.

ONE

THE BULLY

BOSTON

FIVE YEARS LATER

Freshly brewed coffee wafts deliciously throughout the kitchen, making my nose tingle as I sniff it in. Making myself a cup to go, I try to hurry, hoping I don't run into Debbie or Bobby.

But I don't have such luck.

A chill tingles up my spine as Bobby enters the kitchen, my breath hitching in my throat. Trying to get out unscathed, I sling my bookbag over my shoulder and grab my coffee, heading for the door. He slams the fridge shut, mumbling under his breath before he turns to me, blocking my way out of the kitchen.

"I need you to swing by the packie after school today. I'm out of beer," he says in a deep voice, piercing his predatory eyes into mine and making the chill wrack my body much worse.

"I'm only eighteen, Bobby. I can't go into the liquor store."

His jaw clenches, and he leans in closer as I try to stifle a gag from the horrendous stench coming off of him.

Stay calm...

"Go to the one a block down, smart-ass. And don't come home until you have it. I'm in a bad mood, Boston; don't fucking test me."

He pushes off the wall, slamming his palm against it right beside where my head is. I flinch, unable to help it. Being hit with random objects over the last four years will do that.

Without saying anything else, he stumbles away, cursing under his breath. Adrenaline surges within me, my hands tingling for a fight.

When I do finally make it out of the house, I'm pelted by hard, cold drops of rain, and my bruised and broken body is soaked within seconds.

Rainy days and thunderstorms are my favorite.

There's something so enchanting about the way the raindrops shimmer as they drench everything below. It feels like a cleansing for the soul, veiling our tears and rinsing away the lingering touch of unwanted hands that have left their mark on our bodies.

The sound of the rain hitting the pavement is like music to my ears—a soothing symphony that washes away all the day's worries and troubles.

The rhythmic vibrations from the thunder soothe my anxiety and awaken me, even when I want to crawl out of my skin and hide from the world.

Every time the bright, captivating lightning streaks across the gloomy sky, shining a light on things that were meant to stay in the dark, I find solace in its unpredictable beauty.

The chaos outside seems to mirror the chaos within, and yet, being surrounded by the storm brings a sense of peace to my restless heart.

I often find myself drifting into a state of introspection during these storms, feeling free, reflecting on the events that have led me to that moment. It's as if the storm is a gentlereminder that life is full of mayhem, unspeakable trauma, and unpredictable turmoil, but also of raw beauty and hope, even in disastrous conditions.

There's a sense of renewal and rebirth that comes with a stormy, rainy day, as if the earth itself is being given a fresh start.

And so, I welcome the rain and the thunder, for they are a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there'salwaysa silver lining.

The rain used to be a sense of comfort for me, Lux, and Donovan. Since they've been gone, I haven't felt the same way. But I still love rainy days.

I embrace the raindrops, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I pull out a cigarette and light it. Smoke invades my lungs, and it feels so fucking good.

My walk to Lynn English High is always refreshing. But every day I can feel someone watching me—watching my every move.

Even in the darkest of times, when I'm home and trapped in a nightmare, I can feel someone watching me—looking out for me.And I'm not even afraid.Their presence in my life provides a strange sense of comfort. So, as I walked through the rain, I couldn't help but wonder who it might be and what they might want.

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