Page 33 of Red Obsession

“Yeah?”

“Yes, Red,” I mumble into the air.

After a few minutes of silence I think she’s fallen asleep, until she begins rubbing her thumb against my knuckles.

“I have optic nerve damage,” she whispers. I don’t say anything, wanting her to continue talking. “I was around nine, when someone close to my father was chasing me around. At first, I thought it was a game, but when he started saying curse words, I knew he had plans, plans I didn’t know what for. But yeah, I ran into my father’s office. Thinking he would help me, but he just laughed, and the only escape was to jump out the window.”

My hand tightens around hers, thinking back to little thirteen-year-old Izel, running for her life and having to jump out the window.Rage fills my veins.

“So… I did, I jumped and fell on my back. I don’t remember much after that. It knocked me out, and, well, I didn’t wake up. Not for three weeks, and they said it was all in my head, the chasing, the reason for me jumping out the window. When I woke up, I knew right away something was wrong.” Izel shoves her feet on top of my leg “I was born with monochromacy, only seeing black and white if you don–”

“I remember.”

“Yeah.” The moonlight shines on her face, allowing me to see a hint of a smile. “So I was used to being different. I was used to having issues with my eyesight beforehand. But with the damage, it was a whole new learning curve. Some days, I can see perfectly fine. Others, I can barely see and usually need help. It can be cloudy, like I’m seeing through fog, or the image that my eyes are seeing have a dark figure blocking some of it.”

I rack my brain, trying to think if I did anything that could have made her struggle during our travels. She couldn’t see the gun when we first found Gabriel. I thought it was because it was getting dark. I chalked it up to her being excited to see her brother. But the truth is, she can’t see. She’s struggling with her eyesight and that’s why.

“Gabriel was there when it happened, but he was only four. So, he basically grew up helping me.”

“I’m so sorry, Izel.”

“I’m okay, Zion, I–”

“Don’t tell me it’s okay.” Because nothing that she’s been through is okay, and I don’t even know half of it.

“But it is, Zion. We got out, we’re okay. For now, at least, we’re okay.” She drags our hands up, pressing her lips against my thumb. “We’re okay, Zion.”

I don’t know how this went from me wanting and needing to comfort her, to her comforting me. Because I need her to be okay. I need her to be more than I need air.

“Anyway, I’m going to go to bed. I’m sure Gabriel will freak if I’m not there when he wakes up,” Izel mutters, letting go of my hand all too soon. I watch her walk to the door, easing it open. “Goodnight, Zion.”

“Goodnight, Red,” I mumble. The moment she closes the door behind her, I slam my eyes closed.

I know I shouldn’t let myself get attached so quickly, but she feels like home. She is mine, even if she doesn’t know it yet. I will protect her from any harm, even her brother. I will do anything for her.

I am going to kill everyone that laid a hand on her beautiful body. Those scars proved to me that something happened. And though she isn’t ready to tell me, that she doesn’t trust me yet, I am going to show her that even monsters can be good.

11

Zion

Somethingisburning.

My eyes snap open, blinking several times trying to get my bearing’s, I barely even remember passing out last night when Izel left…

Shit, something is burning. Throwing the covers off I jump to my feet, rushing to the bedroom door when Izel casually walks ahead of me.

“Red,” I grunt, my voice rough from sleep.

Turning around she smiles. “Oh, you’re awake.”

“Yeah, somethings burning.”

How the fuck can’t she smell that? Can she not smell? I want to ask, but the memory of her getting offended when I said something about her eyesight, stops me.

Only her laughing brings me back to the present. “Why are you laughing at me?” I growl, which only makes her laugh more. Izel throws her head back, laughing as if I haven’t even asked anything. It’s irritating.

“Red,” I once again growl trying to get her attention.

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