Page 19 of Vulnerate

But the scary fuck stops at a drive thru. He taps on his phone while he orders four cheeseburger meals, then asks, “Do you want ice cream?”

I don’t know why he’s asking the server if they want ice cream, and he looks at me expecting an answer. My head slowly moves, silently saying no as I keep my eyes fixed on his profile. He moves forward and taps against the steering wheel. I don’t know what kind of death row meal he’s preparing for me so I stare straight ahead hoping he forgets I’m here. It’s silent and I’m in a daze focusing on the brake lights in front of us when he speaks again, calmer this time.

“Why have you been ignoring Val and Tali?”

I shrug so I don’t have to speak and taste blood again. He looks over at me and places a bottle of water and tissues on my thighs. The gentleness doesn’t match his voice when he repeats, “Why have you been ignoring them and not coming to the house?”

I swipe at my face, my anger coming back and bleeding into my tone. “Because my parents fucking killed themselves on my birthday and Idon’t want to be around anyone. Is that good enough for you, your majesty?!”

I’m clearly forgetting that he’s a murderer and quickly snap my mouth closed then close my eyes.

He doesn’t respond to my outburst and drives forward to collect his order. At least he’ll have a full stomach when I die. Throwing the bag on my legs, he keeps moving and ordering me around.

“Eat, you need to sober up.” My eyes open not understanding anything and he looks at me from the corner of his eye, before he adds with a smirk, “And learn how to throw a punch instead of take one.”

He laughs to himself over my form and I don’t know why I’m insulted. Confusing me even more he asks, “Why are you fighting anyway? I thought you were one of those idiot pacifists?”

My laugh is air and no sound as I pass him a burger and take out my own. The alcohol has gone to my head and I lose some of my fear as I incorrectly interpret his actions.

“You care about me,” I slur and smile.

If Vlad, the biggest nutcase to exist, cares about me then there’s hope for a normal person to be able to. He continues driving and acts like a raging asshole as he scoffs, “Have you heard my brothers tantrums? What do you think I’ve had to deal with now that their precious Dani isn’t there?”

I deflate and sink my teeth into my burger as I mumble, “I’m not precious anything. I’m boring Dani.” The food turns bitter like my thoughts as I stare out the window at the streetlights getting further apart. “Forgettable Dani.”

My body is flung forward as we abruptly stop, and Vlad’s forearm forces my burger to smash into my neck. His eyes are wild as he turns to me and I’m looking for the car crash that stopped us moving. The road is empty and creepy, derelict warehouses line the sides with broken chain link fences that are useless at keeping anyone out. His arm doesn’t stay in front of me as he harshly pulls my attention back in the car.

“If you want to be memorable you can’t be weak. What’s the problem now? Is it your school?”

I hate him for doing that for me when my parents cheque bounced.

A dry laugh works up my throat and I softly tap my head against the seat as I break my promise.

“They can’t pay you back anymore.”

I promised that they would, that as soon as my parents came home I’d tell them that Vlad had to pay to stop me being kicked out of school and my dad would write him a new cheque. But they can’t, not because they’re dead but because they were broke. He doesn’t react with anger as he starts driving again.

“I’ll discuss it with your sister.”

I nod and give him my smashed burger because the smell is turning my stomach. His is still wrapped in the paper and he throws it in the bag before taking the food from me and throwing it out of the window. I have to bite my cheek to stop from commenting on his littering or telling him I’m not diseased. There’s no need for me to antagonize him further when I’m not 100% sure he’s not going to kill me as we get deeper into the abandoned area.

He turns into a lot, and I smile seeing Val’s car as we pull up. I’m already unbuckled before the wheels stop moving and push the door open filling the car with cold air. The greasy paper bag is lifted off my lap and he doesn’t put me at ease as he gets out following me in the direction of the lights. I flinch with every footstep behind me walking into the warehouse that smells of blood and sweat. Val and Tali are sat on the makeshift ring in the middle. Where there should be ropes, there’s metal mesh at least six feet tall. Both of them stand up seeing me and Tali has a dopey smile on his face while Val glares over my shoulder at his brother’s instruction.

“Give her a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.” The authoritative tone has me jumping, but Tali moves forward guiding me towards a corridor as Vlad throws him the burgers. “Make sure she eats.”

SEVEN

Valentin

The first time I see Dani after her parents have died isn’t supposed to be surrounded by blood with Vlad walking behind her like an executioner. There’s a cut on her lip and dried blood on her nose. I wait until she’s out of sight and keep my voice low just in case she’s hiding in the dingy little hallway we created.

“What the fuck?! Why did you bring her here?! Why is she even withyou?!”

He adjust his cuffs and sighs before acting like a prick.

“Not the time for one of your tantrums, get in the cage.”

He’s been hit in the head too many times and officially lost his mind if he thinks I’m fighting Dani. My Dani, my artist. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stand taller. We’re nearly the same height, there’s a few inches difference and I don’t give a fuck about him being my brother.

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