Page 103 of Heathens

This isn’t the same Boardwalk I brought Charlie to years ago. The sound of laughter has been stripped away, the smell of cotton candy and stale donuts replaced by rotting wood and washed-up debris.

But if I close my eyes, I can shut all of that out. I can see my son in my mind, waddling through the sand in his little bucket hat and a big plastic shovel in his hand, frustrated by the sunblock smeared across his nose. I’m on a sunny beach surrounded by smiling people and crashing waves, watching Sam scoop Charlie up as he squeals with delight.

My chin quivers and tears rush down my face.

“Sofie?” Dominic’s voice is a scalpel, carving the memory right out and forcing me back to this shithole.

He tightens his grip on my waist.

“Are you okay?”

I laugh. What a stupid fucking question.

“I haven’t been okay in a long time.” I wipe my nose on the back of my hand. “Now why did you bring me here?”

“To talk.” He pauses, choosing his words carefully. “If you’re afraid–”

“I’m not afraid,” I choke.

Nothing could be further from the truth, but it’s not in the way he thinks. I’m terrified of losing what I have left of Charlie if I’m turned; of slowly letting myself drift away if I’m not.

“Are you sure you–”

“Dominic, stop wasting time. You brought me to talk, so let’s talk.”

He nods, standing and taking my hand before gently tugging me toward the water.

“Before I turn you, I want to make a deal.”

Jesus, this fucking guy.

“There’s always something, huh?”

“We’ll both be getting something we want, I just—“

“First off, asshole, you never gave me that money you promised. I don’t know how much of anything you say actually carries any weight.”

He chuckles.

“It’s in my dresser, payment upon your return to Nox, like I said. I keep my promises, Sofie.”

I sneer up at him.

“That’s the most bullshit thing you’ve said the entire time I’ve known you.”

He sighs, leading me down some stairs and onto the beach itself.

“I need to know that I can trust you. That you’re not just going to flip on me after I turn you.”

“Because of what you did to Rene?”

Everyone knows they used to work together, and Rene was clearly the one at the head of the ship. There’s a natural conclusion: betrayal.

“It’s not that simple.”

I expect him to lash out at the accusation, fly into a rage like he did last night, but he’s managed to keep completely composed.

“He took someone from me. He brutalized her, and now he’s planning to do it again. With you. Like I’ve always said, I took you to protect you. You won’t be safe until he’s dead, and I need you to help with that.” He stops and smiles. “You’re important to me.”

---