Page 4 of Crimson Flames

“What can we do?” I ask.

Damien looks around, exhaustion clear on his features.

“All of the older kids are fairly settled. The problem is the younger ones. I can’t seem to get them to shower.”

Dr. K walks in at that moment. She took a different flight and I’m shocked she was able to get here around the same time as us.

“What seems to be the problem?” she asks Damien.

“Hey,” he grins at her before picking her up in the biggest hug. Dr. K pats his back gently but seems relieved when he finally sets her down. Damien’s still learning boundaries.

“A few of the kids won’t shower, two boys and two girls. The girls started screaming as soon as we turned on the water, and the boys tried to run and hide. Az helped me get them back in the bathroom, but I have no idea what the problem is.”

A young boy approaches; he looks like he could hardly be eight or nine. He’s hesitant to speak at first, but seems to steal himself with courage.

“Pokey is scared of the water because the guards used it as a form of punishment for the little ones. They hit us older kids, but the little ones were tortured with frigid water. Sometimes they would push their faces into buckets of it, others they would force them to stand against the wall while it was freezing as they sprayed them with a lot of force.”

I crouch down to meet him on his level. I hate that these kids have already been through so much, but this one opening up so quickly is a good sign.

“Thank you for telling us. Do you think you could help us earn their trust?”

He nods, then looks back up at Damien. “Kai promised to kill the man who did this to us. Are you going to help?”

Damien looks to Dr. K who comes to crouch down by me.

“We’re going to do everything in our power to ensure you’re safe and well cared for.”

He blinks at her for a minute before she asks, “What’s your name?”

“Isaiah.” He looks at me then, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “I’ll help you if you help Kai.”

This seems like a trick, but the poor kid deserves a little revenge, so I answer for everyone here.

“I don’t know who Kai is, but my priority is making sure those that hurt you will be punished. That I can promise you.”

He seems to take that better and dips his head in agreement.

“Let’s go,” Adrian nods to Damien, who leads the way down a long hall.

When Dr. K is just out of earshot, Adrian leans in.

“I don’t know if encouraging kids to kill their parents is the best idea,” he whispers.

I look back at him. “Would you kill yours for what they did to us, or mine for what they did to me?”

Not only did my parents openly judge and shame me for my transition, but in the end, they chose their beliefs over their child and exiled me. Adrian’s parents were no better, but they still believed our ‘confusion’ would fade and that he would return to them.

They have no idea that we’ve killed for each other. That our love is what makes us happy above all else. The acceptance and peace we feel with one another is otherworldly.

The day Adrian’s parents sent a man to kill me was the day he cut them off forever. My mother’s goodbye to me was a text saying she was required to side with my father and that she wishes me the best.

I don’t wish death upon my mother, but my father banishing me from my birthright to rule the Triads, is something I hope karma really kicks him in the ass for.

However, I would kill Adrian’s parents without hesitation. They’re lying, conniving people that thought I was the poisonous one, but in truth, they’re the real evil.

Adrian stares at me for a moment, and I raise my eyebrows in response.

“Exactly. I’ll promise them whatever,dowhatever is needed to make them feel safe again.”

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