Page 12 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

We share another look.

“Anytime?”

“Whenever you need me.”

I don’t know why it makes me smile, but I smirk when I tug at the tag.

And proceed to rip it up.

I’m expecting his rage or maybe his shock, but I get neither.

Instead, he laughs.

The chuckle is so familiar, yet it’s nothing I’ve heard before. So enriched with joy yet deep. I haven’t heard a boy laugh in such a tone. It’s always been out of mockery. All the boys who laugh and make fun of me when Domino is around and picking on me. Their laughter is always the same, regardless of pitch. You just know the intention the moment you hear it.

Yet this boy’s tone of laughter is uplifting. It makes me want to laugh with him.

As though we’re not enemies at all. That we could be allies… despite walking down two different paths.

“We’ll, that’s a first,” he praises and presents me with his biggest grin. “Never would have thought you’d reject the offer, but that proves you’re on the right track, Sweet Precious Gem.”

I don’t know if it’s the pride or the sense of hope I suddenly feel, but I’m not only smiling back in return, but I begin to giggle in happiness. I haven’t heard the sound of my own laughter in a really long time.

“Good!” I finally say and point back at him with my free hand while I keep the bunny pressed to my chest. “‘Cause when we meet again, I’m going to be better. Stronger. Really beautiful! You won’t be able to resist my charm.”

“Oh, really?” He lifts an eyebrow in intrigue.

“Mhmm!” I emphasize. “I’m going to be badass! Oh. Don’t tell Father I said that word.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” he vows.

“Do… you promise to find me?” I want to hear his confirmation one more time.

“I’ll find you,” he validates. “Or I’m one call away,” he adds with a wink.

“Funny,” I huff, unbuckling my seatbelt. “I memorized it, anyway.”

“I figured,” he comments. He doesn’t stop me from getting out of the car.

I make sure my legs still work, though after interacting with the one who paid for the expensive surgery to fix my legs, I’m confident they won’t let me down. Not for a few years, at least.

“Will I ever know your name?” I ask without turning my head back to him. I don’t want him to see the newly fresh tears forming in my eyes.

Deep down, I don’t want to walk back into that house.

I don’t wish to walk down this path that’s so hard and lonely.

He may be a stranger, but he’s the only one to give me a sense of hope when it was shattered and stolen from my grasp.

Why can’t life be like the fairytales, where my knight in shining armor will steal me away from the monsters in my life? Why can’t we just live happily ever after?

I know the answers to all my questions.

That fairytales aren’t real because this is reality.

But it’s hard not to wish for a way out.

To run away…like any other weakling.

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