Page 28 of Bleed for Me

Blowing out a breath, I trained my eyes on the floor nervously. “Y-you can’t say things like that.”

“Why?” he asked, titling his head in an innocent gesture, but it contrasted against his taunting tone. “Would your boyfriend get mad?”

“Probably.”

A slow smile stretched across his face. “Is that theonlyreason you want me to stop?”

Yes.

No.

Damnit!

Sighing, I shook my head. “Just…stop,” I whispered, not knowing what else to say. I wanted him to stop because I hated what it did to my body. Alex and I weren’t breaking up regardless of whatever this asshole thought. He was tempting me,testingme, and it just wasn’t going to happen.

As if seeing right through me, he smiled knowingly. A taunting kind of smile, one full of dark promises and determination. I didn’t like it. Not at all.

EIGHT

VALENTINE

Patients trickled through the door, taking up the pews on either side of the room. I looked forward to these sermons. Even if my teachings could get through to one person, it made a difference. Watching that light enter their eyes as soon as they understood, as soon as they welcomed Jesus Christ into their heart was a power in itself. It would bring them one step closer in their healing journey.

I stood at the front of the room, tapping my finger against my ear mic to make sure it worked properly. When satisfied, my gaze roamed around the room, taking in everyone who chose to join me today. There were a few new faces here, Archer included who I deemed a lost cause years ago. Why he was suddenly interested in religion was beyond me, but I had the smallest feeling that I already knew.

Rosalie Swanson.

I’d done my research on her after she came to my Wednesday class—as I did with every new patient who entered my door. Killed her abusive stepfather and accidentally murdered her little sister in the process. Authorities had reason to believeshe didn’t realize what she was doing, and her subconscious wiped the slate clean in order to protect herself. Her case was…interesting.

When she stepped through the door, she scanned the room for open seating. Archer caught her eye and her posture went rigid. Interesting…

I’d expected her to sit in the back as she had done Wednesday, but she seemed to want to put as much distance between her and the asylum’s bad boy as possible, so she opted for the front row, sliding into an empty spot beside Tyler Mathis. Tyler was an equally special case. A pyromaniac with severe attention deficit disorder. Unable to resist the impulse, he accidentally set his entire school on fire, killing twelve kids and three teachers in the process.

Once everyone was here, I placed my hands on the podium before me. “If I could have everyone stand, please, I’d like us to say a quick prayer before we get started.”

I waited for them to obey, my fingers resting on the hard leather of my bible. “Lord father, I wanted to take this time to bless everyone who chose to show up today.” Except you, Archer. “Everyone in this room has been through something life-altering. They need you, Lord. I want to thank you for bringing them in, for helping them want to learn more about you and what you can offer. In Father’s name, amen.”

Almost everyone had their head bowed, their eyes closed, their eyebrows drawn as they hung onto my every word. That’s why I did this. Life wasn’t easy for me, either. It took a long time before I was able to get to this place. After my parents were murdered, I wanted revenge more than anything else in this world. In fact, it’s why I took the job here in the first place. Then…something changed. A realization settled deep into my mind, awakening me completely for the first time. Revenge wasn’t the answer. There was still resentment that I was workingthrough, a hatred that stemmed deep within my body. All within due time, though. Nobody was perfect.

I turned toward the projector, digging the small button out of my pocket and hit play on the device. Music drifted through the speakers, a holy melody flooding through the room. Many people started following along, while others didn’t.

After a few songs, I turned the music off and flipped to where my bookmark lay, glancing down at the highlighted parts of scripture within my bible.

“If everyone could turn to Matthew 7:1-5, please. We’re going to talk about judgment.”

I waited a few moments before starting again. “Do not judge, for you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” The power of my words rattled me to the bone and guilt seeped in. We were all hypocritical in our own way, but that knowledge did little to make me feel better.

“Now, please turn to Luke 6:37-38.” The sound of pages turning flooded the room. Once they stopped, I continued. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

After a few more passages about judgement, I went on to read lessons from the bible pertaining to what we’d just talked about. Today was a smooth day with minimal outbursts. There were a couple of people who started talking to themselves as I read, but I’ve learned to tune them out unless they got violent or freaked out in other ways. I ended the sermon in one last prayer before letting everyone out to go about the rest of their day.

I stepped off the stage, making my way over to my office that sat off to the right near the room where we hostedWednesday classes, but before I could close the door, Rosalie made her presence known, blocking the doorway. I arched an eyebrow, confusion and uncertainty blossoming within my chest. She clutched one of the bibles to her chest—the skirt and polo ensemble with stockings making her look like an innocent school girl.

“Sorry to bother you,” she said nervously, refusing to meet my gaze. “I was wondering if I could take this with me.” She held up the bible for emphasis. “I’ll bring it back Wednesday.”

My shoulders relaxed. “No need. We’re overflowing with bibles. If you want to keep it, go ahead.”

A sigh of relief left her, and a smile graced her lips. “Thank you. I was also wondering if there was any way I could be more involved.” She hesitated, shifting nervously from foot to foot. “Before coming here, I went to church often and helped out a lot within the community. Being here isfamiliarto me, so I’d like that opportunity if there is one.”

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