Page 5 of Quinlan

We were saved. Who could’ve believed that a tiny newborn would save Jagger, Laurel, and me from Rex and Harlow’s abuse? Not me for sure.

The bell rings, cutting into my thoughts. Into my relief.

Since the show is over, everyone rushes inside.

Everyone but the three of us. Oh yeah, and the useless guard who’s been snoring in his booth for the last ten minutes.

We don’t ask each other if we’re okay. It’s a given we aren’t.

“Are we adding her to the list?” I break the silence first, going for humor. I usually do.

“No.” Liam pockets his Zippo. “She’s an idiot. Not her fault.”

I want to argue that she’s an idiot who hurt our friend. Rome’s icy blue eyes slice to mine, silencing me. It’s the glare he gives me. It’s the black circles under them, too. How hollow they look.

The fucking sandwich. My PB & J is in Rome’s hand before he can tell me I should be the one eating it.

“I made two,” I lie. “Eat up.”

Normally, Rome demands to see the second sandwich. Today, he doesn’t. Today, he chows half of it down. I was right back then. This shit has been going on since lunch on Friday.

Rome’s shaky fingers move to wrap what’s left of the sandwich. “Anne.”

His three-year-old sister.

“My parents prepared food for both of you in the fridge. Swing by after school.” Liam pushes back a black strand of hair that fell into his eyes. It’s back there. “You had something to say. That’s why you called Rome over.”

“Yes.” Of course he’d know I meant to talk to both of them. There are no secrets between us. None. It’s just that I didn’t see him. “Never mind, though. We’re gonna be late for class.

“Fuck class.” Rome wipes the last of the crumbs off his mouth. “You’re holding out good news on us, aren’t you?”

The smile on my face is gone, and I shrug. I can’t tell them. Rome’s been suffering the whole weekend. Liam was just ridiculed for his scar.

Later.

“Rome, finish the sandwich.” Liam nudges him. “I’ll help you hide the food in your backpack for Anne. Swear.”

“Okay. Talk, Damien.” He unwraps the sandwich, tearing into it. “Before Mr. Hicks notices we’re missing.”

His cold eyes tell me he won’t drop the subject. “I’m leaving the Palmers. Or more like, the Palmers are dropping us. The three of us.”

Both of them gape at me.

Rome swallows the last bite of the sandwich. Coughs. “You’re shitting me.”

“What happened? Are they dying?” The corner of Liam’s lips ticks to the side. A small smile before he shuffles through his backpack. “Should we take them off the list?”

“They’re not getting off that easy. They’re alive.” The healed knife wounds in my abdomen burn the more I talk about the bastard. “Someone saved us.Shesaved us.”

“She?” Liam stops, the brown notebook in his hand.

The notebook that holds the names of the people we’re going to kill. Our revenge plans.

Justice.

One day, we’ll be rich. One day, we’ll have the money to hire people to help us. Spies to hunt them down. People to cover up our tracks. We’re not sure how, but we will.

“Thought Rex doesn’t let the social worker see the scars and open wounds.” Rome’s brows lower. “You said he threatened to kill the three of you if you told.”

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