Page 31 of Crimson Flames

With a Twizzler hanging out of his mouth, he walks over and wraps his arms around us all. “I feel like I need to try more candy. This stuff is amazing!”

Cillian snorts. “You’re going to have to cool it with the sugar, your teeth will fall out.”

My brows pinch because never in my life would I have imagined Cillian thinking ahead about things like candy being bad for your teeth.

Kai deviously takes a bigger bite of the candy, flashing him a huge grin.

“Might as well enjoy them while I have them. Besides, aren’t fake teeth a thing? I’ll just get new ones if I need to.”

“With what money?” Cillian scoffs jokingly.

Kai’s face drops. He looks down in his hand at the now empty package of candy and shrugs.

“Guess I’ll have to get a job or something.” His voice is soft and quiet, nothing like the boy we have gotten to know while in this cramped room.

“What kind of job would you like to have?” I ask, attempting to pull him from his soured mood.

Kai tosses the wrapper in the trash and walks back to his seat. “Maybe something like what you guys do. I’m not really good atanything besides fighting, and I’m an okay shot. What can I do with that?”

The three of us exchange glances. This is not the life we would choose for someone his age.

“I am sure you will find other things you enjoy besides fighting. You have strong leadership skills, and there is so much of the world to discover.”

He shrugs awkwardly before looking down at his phone. Nessa helped him get a few games downloaded, so he must pull one of those up. I can tell that this conversation is not over, but that is a problem for another day.

Cillian goes to sit by Kai, and they start a hushed conversation while I cuddle with my girl. Cillian has been hogging her, and I need my fill. I’m desperate for her warmth pressed against me and her head on my chest. Kissing Nessa on the forehead, I position us so that I can lay by her side.

“I know I have a problem with running away when you need me most. I have decided I will talk to Dr. K about it once we are home. I need you to know that it will never be you that I run from, and I will always come back.”

“I’m learning who you are in a crisis, and I understand how these things can make you feel out of control. I just hope that one day we can learn to run towards each other instead of away.”

I nod, playing with her hair and feeling her breathing grow deeper until it evens out. We have a lot to work on with our relationship, but one thing is for sure. She is mine, and that will never change.

I am just thankful that this is finally over.

Chapter 12

It’s not fun to sit and think about my future. I’ve never really felt like I had one. At least not one that’s my own, not until now. After shutting down for a bit, Cillian suggested I take a walk to clear my head. Surprisingly, the hospital we’re at has some kind of walking track surrounding it that they use for physical therapy.

Boris said I could use it so long as I was respectful of others, and Nessa told me to bring the gun just in case. I tried to give it back to her, but she just shook her head and told me to keep it until we were all home.

What even is a home?

I don’t know what to picture when I hear that word. A house? Family?

Neither of those things are for me; that’s been clear my entire life. Just having a roof over my head has been a fight for so long. Boris was worried that sleeping on the couch would be uncomfortable, but little does he know, the hospital couch is the second best thing I’ve slept on in my life, besides my bed back at the place with all of the kids.

I’ve gone back in the evenings, but only when it feels like I’m forced to. No one says I have to go, but the looks they give me tell another story.

It’s fair, I’m not one of them. But I can’t help but want to stay as long as I can. I’ve never felt so cared for, so seen. No one has ever brought me snacks or played games with me just for fun. I’m sure it’s just a distraction for Nessa, but I’ll gladly be that for her if it means I get to stay.

They make me feel safe. Protected even.

When I walk back into the hospital, I see Evie and Batman standing outside the cafeteria speaking in hushed tones.

“Thankfully, this is all over and the kids are safe,” Evie says.

I approach from behind and Batman notices me first.

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