Page 132 of Brutal Game

I’d lost him.

I’d truly lost him.

I hadn’t even told him I loved him one last time.

“It should’ve been me,” I whispered. “It should’ve been me.”

But all I could do was stare at the burning building that had become my true love’s funeral pyre.

44

Jack

Love was fire.

Love was flame.

Love burned, scalded, turned everything else to ash.

Aviva.

I could see her in front of me.

Aviva.

Aviva, my little fury, what will happen to you without me? Who will protect you from the bullies, tormentors, terrible men, if not your own bully, tormentor, terrible man?

Aviva, I love you.

Aviva, I’m sorry.

45

Aviva

Love was ash.

Love was dirt.

Love hurt, blinded, charred, turned anything and everything into dust.

Jack.

I could see him in my mind—like a ghost. An apparation. Not real.

He would haunt me forever.

Jack, my love, how could you leave me like this? How will I survive without your special brand of loving torment? How will I go on?

Jack, I love you.

Jack, I’m sorry.

46

Aviva

Icried until there were no tears left. Until my eyes were as hot as the burning building before me.

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