Page 70 of Shadows Within
“That’s what you do best.” His face doesn’t change as he proceeds upstairs.
There’s no camera’s downstairs, there can’t be. It’s the one place in here that isn’t monitored.
I pull out my phone and pull up his number, one I usually avoid. He picks up on the first ring.
“Well, Callum.” He pauses.
I can’t let him know.
“I swear if you go near her again, I’ll end your life. You think that you’re protected by The Society, but I clean up all the messes. And right now, you’re looking like a big fucking mess.”
His low laugh taunts me.
“You think I’m scared, Callum? If I was a threat to The Society, I would already be gone, but I’m still here.”
“You’re only here because I let you. Test me and find out.”
Losing my patience, I pull at the collar of my shirt.
“I watch her, but one day… I’ll get close enough to feel her warmth against me again, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
I grip the phone tight, wishing it was his neck.
“You’re dead.” I hang up and stomp back upstairs. I take the back exit to avoid everyone.
I get to my car, take the file out from my coat, and shove it in the glove box. I pull out my phone, but I can’t call her. Not like this.
I need a release—I need to make my pain someone else’s. I do the only thing I know and go to the place where titles don’t matter. A place where no one knows who I am, and they don’t make eye contact when I walk in. Not because of my legacy, but because I’m nobody to them. A place where my fists are all I have, and where money and status won’t buy your way. A place where I become who I truly am, and the monster in me is free.
Secrets
Scarlett
I wake up feeling anxious about the way that Callum left. I can’t help but to focus on his silence throughout the day. I’m not one to be clingy, but he hasn’t texted or called me since he left. Talking to Sophia after class today will help with all of this. And it felt good to be back in the ring this morning with Ricco. I haven’t been avoiding him—I’ve been avoiding myself.
My stress is harder to turn off lately. In and out of the ring, I become my own worst enemy, but Ricco helps motivate me. He can always tell when I’m overwhelmed. He says it shows in my form. I don’t get sloppy with my blows, but my arms drop, and I let more swings get past. With Ricco’s guidance, I’m brought back to reality.
The library is the last place I want to be, but I figured it’s best to finish some work while Sophia is still in class. I’ve withheld so much from her that I don’t know where to start when she gets here. She knows that Callum and I are together, but she doesn’t know how serious it is. She doesn’t know that he’s the last person I think about before I fall asleep and the first person I think about when I wake up and that he drives me crazy. The old me would’ve hated who I’ve become—relying on someone else for my own happiness. But I’m not sure if that’s how I would describe him. Callum just gets me. When I’m around him, I don’t have to hide all that I am. He sees the darkest parts of me and helps mend the broken ones that I’m not willing to face.
Shit.It’s 2:40 p.m. I am going to be late meeting Sophia for 2:45 p.m.
I collect my books and shove them in my bag. I grab my coat from the back of the tall oak chair and walk by a study group from my physiology class. I smile at them, but they don’t notice me. It used to bother me that people didn’t often invite me to their library groups or study sessions held at their fancy houses. Unless I provide notes or essay tips, the invitation isn’t there.
I rush through campus to the parking lot where Sophia and I usually meet. I scan the area for Callum. Sometimes he’s out here. Although now that I think about it, I’ve seen him less around campus lately.
I spot Sophia’s light wavy hair in front of me.
“Soph!” I yell.
She turns around. “Hey! I was just going to call you. Jump in my car?”
Her car comes into view as I catch up. Just then, we’re cut off by a silver Mercedes, its front windows are down while G-Easy blasts. From the driver’s seat, Chase makes eye contact with me as he slows the car.
“Hey, ladies.” He waves.
“Ew,” Sophia whispers.
I don’t answer him. I can’t. A familiar citrus smell escapes from his car as he laughs and peels away. A smell that recently sent me into a spiral.
