Page 35 of Make Them Cry
Because they tried to silence you.
Because you deservedso much better.
And because no one else stepped up.
I stare at the words for a long time, blinking back a sting in my eyes.
ME:You’re not just doing this because of the threats, are you?
MASK:No.
My mouth goes dry. My thumbs hover over the keyboard, then move without permission.
ME:Then why?
MASK:You intrigue me, River Quinn.
Your fire. Your fight. Your sarcasm.
The way you drink your coffee like it personally wronged you.
I let out a startled laugh. “Okay, yeah. He knows me.” I read the message again. How does this ghost know I drink coffee like this?
MASK:I care… because I’ve been watching for longer than you know.
That should scare me. Itshould. But it doesn’t.
Because when Mason was whispering in the halls, trying to destroy my reputation… Mask was there.
When the internet tore me apart… Mask was the one who stepped in.
He’s not the villain. He’s my shadow shield.
And yeah, maybe Iama little bit broken for being into that.
My fingers fly.
ME:You could come here.
Right now.
No masks.
I stare at the message. I don’t send it.
Instead, I backspace it down to nothing and write:
ME:You make me feel safer than I’ve felt in a long time.
His reply is instant.
MASK:That’s the only thing that matters.
The tea’s long gone.The lights are dim. And I’m still thinking about what he said.
There’s a thought niggling in the back of my brain but I can’t connect the pieces. I blame lack of sleep. I blame stress. I blame all the men who try to make me feel small.
I hate feeling scared. I also like how Mask makes me feel brave. I think about Mask. How I found him at the perfect time. How he’s made this whole mess bearable. I try to think about where I'd be without him, and I can't even go there. Because honestly, I don’t know.
