Page 74 of Between Earth and Eternity
“Apparently, I have to keep reminding you! I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you!”
His face softens at that, a mix of confusion and hurt. He takes a step back and runs a hand through his hair, like he needs a moment to reset. “I get it. You’re angry, and you need to take it out on something or someone. Fine.” His voice carries a softness to it now, but his eyes continue to burn and burn.
I stumble, trying to form a word, a single thought, but I have nothing.
“You want someone to blame for everything. Good. Take it out on me,” he says.
I shake my head, tears starting to blur my vision, and I have no idea why. “I don’t want anything to do with you. I just want this all to stop,” I say.
I don’t even know what I’m referring to anymore. I can’t decipher what is real, if anything he has ever said was true or just some game to make me lose my mind. The Lottery, the load my father passed on to me, my best friend’s sacrifice to stay on Earth that meant nothing. I can’t do it.
I bury my face in my hands. The very last thing I want to do is cry in front of Vallen Mannox. I don’t want him to know how fragile I really am.
“Skyler.” I dare to think that he said my name with care, maybe even want, need. Like my name means more to him than just a name.
“Stay away from me and my friends,” I gasp out through my tears.
And just like that, the moment passes like a shooting star. The pure Mannox persona returning, who he really is to his core. “Fine. I have too much to worry about already. You are the least of my concerns,” he says, walking away.
I shouldn’t care, but his words find every empty space to sink themselves into and latch on like a parasite.
“I hate you,” I say.
He stops and looks over his shoulder. “As you should.”
And then he is gone and the tears fall.
I’m disappointed that it takes me so long to gather myself, but I don’t want Ori to worry, so I make sure the redness in my eyeshas faded before I return to the suite. When I get to our hallway on Ring Ten, Romy is just leaving her room.
“Romy!”
“Skyler!” She rushes to me and hugs me around the waist, almost knocking me over.
“I’m so sorry I haven’t been around much lately. How about you come over to our suite tomorrow for treats and games?” I ask.
“Okay, but you have to come see! Hurry!” She nearly pulls my arm from the socket.
“What is it?”
“I have to show you.” She giggles, dragging me into her room. “Look!”
In the middle of the floor lies an orange tabby kitten sleeping on top of a fluffy pink blanket.
“A kitten? How did this happen?” I ask, truly shocked at the little creature.
“She’s a gift from Mr. Mannox’s son.”
“Wait. What? Vallen?”
“Yes. Vallen.” She smiles wider when she says his name. “He brought her this morning. Said he heard what happened with those mean kids and thought Stella might cheer me up.”
“Stella. I like it.” I pet her tiny head, and she opens her eyes, slightly purring. “Vallen got you a kitten.” How in the hell did he manage that?
“I know. He is so nice!” She beams, looking down at Stella.
“Yes, that was very kind of him,” I say, trying to picture Vallen carrying a kitten, let alone caring about Romy’s situation in the first place. I guess he really can make anything happen with the snap of his fingers. “Do you want to bring her by tomorrow? I’m sure Ori would love to meet her.”
She, of course, agrees, and I leave her to enjoy her new furry companion. She is already in love with little Stella and doesn't take a second to wave me goodbye before her door slides closed.
