Page 17 of Mean One

The things I do to make her smile.

As we slithered to the edge of town, Max and I stuck to the shadows, watching as dozens of people passed, too absorbed in the cheer to even notice us. Max giggled and squealed with glee, completely enamored with the overbearing ambiance of it all. I, on the other hand, was struggling as flashes of my past returned, the sounds of it igniting my trauma, haunting me, reminding me of why we were really here.

“Look!” Max bolted from the shadows, snatching a freshly baked pastry as someone passed by with a basket full of them. They didn’t even notice, the sounds of the live band drowning any other noise out, Christmas lights flashing and blinking on every possible surface drawing their attention away. “Mmm.” She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she took in the freshly baked smell. “Apple pie! With cinnamon! My favorite!” Max took a bite, quickly devouring the pastry as she giggled.

“Focus, freckles,” I groaned, waving the lingering smell of the dessert away. “You can bring home all the apple pies you wantafterwe do what we came here to do.” She rolled her eyes, huffing while crossing her arms.

“Fine.” Max turned as we both caught sight of Gus stepping onto the stage with the band, dressed in a ridiculous red and green suit, wearing a light-up Santa hat. What was everyone’s obsession with Christmas in this fucking town? As he waved his hand, the band stopped playing. He stepped to the microphone as feedback screeched and settled.

“Hello, Whoreville!” The town erupted in cheer, startling me as Max clasped her hands together and watched with wide curious eyes. “Thank you so much for joining me tonight in this joyous celebration!” He turned away, motioning to someone. “Come on, get out here!” he snapped away from the microphone. Stepping from behind a large, lit Christmas tree was May-Martha. My heart stung and sank at the sight of her, the crowd once again hooting and cheering as she stepped to Gus’ side.

May was wearing a festive gown, the forest-green tulle skirt nearly swallowing her whole. The waist of her dress was pulled in tight by a vibrant red velvet corset, a pure white fur wrapped around her gloved hands, a deep green shawl around her shoulders, concealing her tattoo. Her brunette hair was free and curled around her face, encrusted with red sparkling accessories. And those fucking red lips. She looked almost the same as the day I last saw her, her body filled out and divine. My jaw nearly dropped as I watched her clap for Gus, quickly shaking my old feelings away.

“Yes, isn’t she perfect?” Gus eyed her body, taking his time. It made me furious, watching him look at her like a fucking snack. “Any who, as many of you know, we are not just here to celebrate Christmas, but also—” He stopped, turning to face May, dragging the microphone with him. “To celebrate my engagement to the lovely Miss May-Martha.” As expected, the crowd went wild, including Max. I shot her a look.

“Sorry.” She shrugged.

I watched May’s face, seeing a surprised look come over it as she froze. Gus bent down to one knee, retrieving a small ring box from his suit jacket and presenting it to her.

“May,” he raised her hand, “will you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?” People awed at his proposal, my stomach churning as I watched in horror.

She opened her mouth to speak, unable to form words. Gus’ smile faded as he pulled her arm, lightly forcing her closer. My fists squeezed in anger at seeing him handle her in such a way. Max placed her hand on my chest, holding me back as we watched him mutter something under his breath to her, the whole town anxiously waiting for her response. He shot back towards the crowd, grinning like a child.

“She said yes!” Everyone roared with cheer as Gus forcefully slid a gaudy ring onto her finger, standing as he planted a fat kiss on her lips. She moved her mouth from his, unnoticed by everyone as they began to celebrate. “Now,” he shouted as he grabbed a bottle of champagne from nearby, popping the cork. “Let’s celebrate!” The music resumed as he chugged the bottle, May still frozen in place.

Her eyes began to water, glancing around the town before finding mine. They widened in fear as a single tear fell down her blushed cheeks. I bared my canines, rushing away from her eyes in a hurry.

“Hey, wait!” Max stumbled after me. “What about the plan?”

I whirled around. “Forget the fucking plan! It’s over, Max. He won!” I gripped her arms, shaking her fiercely. “I hope they get married and have the most miserable fucking life. They deserve it after what they did to me!” Max’s eyes began to tear up as she looked up at me.

“The world deserves to burn for how you were treated.” Her hand moved, touching my heart. “But, since we can’t burn italldown,” she wiggled from my grip as I eased up, “let’s at least finish what we started. Give them exactly what they deserve and show them hell.” She leaned closer, grabbing my face.

“Show them the Grouch.”

Chapter 10

Max

Hours feltlike minutes as we stuck to the shadows, watching as Gus finally announced his retirement from the festivities and took May by the hand, leading her away in the direction of the brothel. I knew this would be the perfect time to act.

“They’re heading to the bar,” I chimed to him as he watched them disappear into the crowd. “You need to hurry!”

“Are you not going to join me?” It tugged at my heart to ask such a thing in a sour tone. I knew he wanted me there with him, but I wasn’t sending him off to murder them. I was sending him away so I could kill May myself.

“I’m going to hang back and cause a little chaos of my own.” He pondered a moment before kissing my forehead. “Give them hell, freckles.” He grabbed the axe, winking as he snaked around the alley and further into the shadows.

“Oh, I plan to.”

I quickly rushed in the direction of the brothel, catching up as the two entered the building. My hat jingled as I kept a safe distance, following them up the building and eventually lingering on the other side of her door. My ear pressed against the old wood, listening as I heard arguing.

“Someone’s in trouble,” I tsked, crouching to peek through the keyhole. Inside, Gus was shaking May, her hair waving in every direction as she sobbed.

“I didn’t agree to this!” May shouted.

“You don’t have a fucking say!” Gus ripped the shawl from her arms, pounding his pointer finger into her chest, tapping the heart tattoo. “Maybe I should brand you, cover up that hideous tattoo, remind you and everyone else here who you belong to! I bought you, May, fair and square!”

“I’m not property!” She tried to run towards the door, but he grabbed a fistful of her hair, and she screamed in pain as he tugged harshly on the strands. Gus pressed against her back, his free hand wrapping around her tiny waist as he mumbled into her ear.

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