Page 13 of Caged in Flames

Jane catches me right before dinner, locking her arm in mine. We walk into the dining hall together, but since I’m hoping to get some practice in before Dr. Lines locks up for the day, I leave her be. I see Jude raise his eyebrow at her before moving over and allowing her to squeeze in with him. She shoots me a small wave and heads out. I left my violin in the room today, knowing I would want to have this time.

Opening the case, I take a seat. I pull out my phone and ready the backtrack I’ve been working on. Taking a deep breath, I settle the instrument under my chin.

As the subtle notes of piano flow from the phone into the room, I begin to strum along to Titanium. Feeling every single sound vibrate through me, the violin works as extension of my own body.

I have been playing since I was five, and I’ve been owning it since I was ten.

It is empowering. It is electric. It is everything.

As the song begins to close, I sing the last chorus lines and lower the violin. I take a deep breath and look up, feeling those daddy stealing eyes on me again.

“Phoenix, huh?” He licks his lips as he asks.

“Small talk doesn’t suit us, Charlie.” I don't understand why he's here. I clutch my violin and bow tighter.

His shoulder is leaning in the doorway. One foot crossed in front of the other as if he's about to pose. “Well, the new name certainly suits you.”

I huff. “Thank you for offering an opinion I don’t give a shit about.”

“I’ve been told I do that on occasion.” What the fuck? He’s going to keep shooting the shit with me.

I'm done with this and decide to try and get to the point. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve always liked hearing you play. Not just at the school concerts. Richard plays some of your videos in his home office sometimes. You are talented. Your voice sounds different though.” I ignore that information. I know what he means about my voice though.

“Does it sound a bit…haunted?” I can’t help trying to provoke him. I want him to be uncomfortable. "As if I’ve graced the pits of hell before coming back to life?" I cock my head and hold his glare. "A little bit like that?"

I start the process of packing up just to break eye contact. Best not to look at him too much. I'm still not sure what kind of creature he is, and I don't want to accidentally be sucked into a mind control vortex.

"I'd say that's an accurate assessment." The cocky jerk just lifts one shoulder and gives me an annoying smirk. "I was actually just hoping to catch you. I want to explain that Richard wouldn't have had a chance to warn you about my return to Blisshaven. He didn't even know until I was packing my bags." That's the second time he's thrown my dad's name into the conversation.

“And I need to know that, why?” I examine my bow as I put it into its place. I forgot to rosin it today, so I make a mental note to do it tomorrow. I close my case, lock it up, and stash it away.

“Because I know that he doesn’t want to give you any more reasons to hate him.” He says it casually. As if it really matters.

“I don’t hold on to hate for my father.” It's not exactly the truth, but there's no need to give him anything that could be a potential weapon against me.

He takes a minute to study me, but I refuse to break. He moves on, continuing to frustrate me with this pointless talk. “Just us then? Or maybe just me? We both know I'm the one behind everything that happened after all.”

I stare at him. I thought I made it clear that we would not be talking things out.

“I know, we aren’t going to talk about it." He raises his hands in a surrender sign. Seems he’s become a mind reader too. "At least not yet. But Phoenix, I hope that one day that changes. I will not lie and tell you I am a better person now. In fact, I might even be a bigger asshole these days.”

I scoff at him. He’s the human equivalent of the poop emoji and I have no idea why he’s wasting my time.

He looks me straight in the eyes for whatever bullshit is coming out of his mouth next. “Just…I don’t know, Phoenix. I want to talk eventually, but it has to be on your terms.”

“To be honest with you, dickhead, you’re catching me off guard with the human act. Where’s the fucking demon we all know actually resides in your body?” I need him to leave. The longer he's in this room, the less of a haven it becomes.

He chuckles. He fucking chuckles at me. We are not having friendly banter right now.

“I’ll see you around, daddy’s girl.” The way he says the taunting name lacks the snarl I have grown used to. “I wanted to tell you privately that I respect your…battle lines.” He walks away, leaving me to wonder what fucking game he's playing now.

Charlie fucking Westbrook.

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