Page 55 of Echo
“Yes.”
“How? Allow me the chance to fix it.”
“You don’t own me,” I told him.
A pregnant pause came from the other side. “I do.”
“I’m not a bartering chip to settle old vendettas. I’ll do what I want, and I don’t want you.” I wasn’t complying with any man anymore. Whether they were monster or human shaped. I came here to escape, not to fall into another pit of bullshit.
“Where is this coming from?”
“A healthy, well-adjusted place.” One that wanted to be those things, at least.
“Little Rabbit, you aren’t going anywhere.” He said each word slowly, as if I were too stupid to understand. “I won’t let you.”
“I’m not leaving, but I am not your companion.”
A growl of frustration rumbled on the other side of the door. “You enjoy me as much as I enjoy you. What is the point of what you are doing?”
“I have tastes that aren’t good for me. How many times can I make the exact same mistake before I recognize that I create my own problems?”
The door rattled as if he’d thrown his body against it, but I’d seen his strength to know that wasn’t the case. He attempted to speak, but all that came out was a series of growls. Even without words, I knew he was cussing me out.
A loud breath on the other side later and he finally said something I could understand. “Do not compare me to that weak man. I feed off fear because I have to. He fed off of fear because he had to create the illusion of having value.”
“And yet I’m so lucky that you like me.” I spat the words out.
The growling on the other side stopped, and I found myself waiting for his response. It was foolish to hope that he’d make it right. To tell me that he’d made a mistake or that I’d taken it the wrong way. To be man enough to admit he was wrong and apologize.
“You are,” he said as if the source of my anger confused him.
“Right.” Hope springs eternal misery. “Have a good night, Echo.”
“Madison,” he hissed. The displeasure rumbling in his chest made my entire body stiffen. The fact that he actually used my name added another layer of a threat. “You’ve already let me in the house. You can’t keep me out now.”
“Then walk in.”
“I’m going to give you time to evaluate your decisions. I hope that when I return tomorrow that you see that you are being irrational.”
Anger poured over me like hot oil, easing the hurt inside me. I went to the door. “And I hope you realize that you are a dick!”
Chapter 21:
Ihadn’tseenhidenor hair from him the next day, but that was because I kept my headphones in and refused to look at things that moved in the corners of my eyes, trusting that Ranger would watch my back from anything that might sneak up on me.
The more I acknowledged him, the more he revealed himself. Maybe it was too late to go back, but if I reverted him back to a bark in the woods, he’d have a lot less power over me.
I wasn’t even sure if that would help, but acknowledging him wasn’t going to assist me in keeping distance between us. So either way, this was a solid plan.
Ranger barked over the rock music blaring in my ear, a common instance throughout the day. But this time he was excited.
Against my better judgement, I turned to look at the Feed boy walking up with a giant smile. I pulled my head phone from my ear, letting my eyes scan the forest. Ranger went up to him for pets.
“You do know that someone died here a few days ago, right?” I warned. I didn’t want this sweet soul to be hurt. I needed men like him to exist so I could keep moving forward.
“I know. I came to check on you.” He smiled.”But thank you for your concern.”
“You’re a brave soul.” I scanned the treeline again.
