He catches my fist before I hit him again.
“We lie to each other, Liesel. Don’t expect anything less from me. I will lie, cheat, trick you, hurt you, go as far as it takes. You think what I did last night was cruel? You have no idea what I have planned for you. End this now and tell me the truth.”
“I’ll decide if I tell a truth or a lie. I’ll decide what happens to me.”
He stands tall, looking down at me, making hot desire shoot through my body.
Damn him and his commanding expression turning me on.
“You’ll tell me every truth you have. You won’t be able to survive without spilling your secrets.”
I’ll survive, alright. He won’t get the truth, only lies. I just hope I can keep to my own words. I hope I’m not lying to myself.
18
Langston
I let Liesel aim an arrow at me, knowing how good of a shot she is. She could have killed me if, deep down, she truly wanted to.
But she didn’t. She’s not a killer like I am.
She’s done some horrible things in her life, but she doesn’t kill. Even her worst enemies. Even me.
It was a gamble.
I didn’t know how Liesel truly felt—now I do. She hasn’t changed. She’s a monster, done some horrible things. Things she deserves to pay for, die for, but I don’t have to worry about her slitting my throat in the middle of the night.
That’s where she draws the line—murder.
There are two types of people in this world: the kind who kill and those who can’t, no matter the circumstances. You could say there is a third group of people: ones who kill in self-defense, only when their own life is threatened. But those types of people don’t exist. It’s a lie.
You can either kill or you can’t.
It makes no difference the reason why. And once you cross that line, you can never go back.
Liesel hasn’t crossed that line. If she can’t cross that line to save her own neck now, then she never will.
Still, letting her shoot at me was incredibly reckless.
I shouldn’t have been so careless. There was a time when it wouldn’t have mattered if I died. Now, it’s important to stay alive.
Liesel may not have meant to offer a truth, but she did. It may be the only truth I get from her for a while, but it’s a start.
“Stay close,” I say to Liesel as we start walking down the hillside toward my home.
She laughs. “I’m not following any of your orders.”
She takes off at a full sprint toward the house.
She’s not running away. I should just let her throw her tantrum, let her think she’s won and punish her for her mistakes later.
But I’m not going to let her gain an inch.
I run after her.
She’s quick and has a head start, but I’m faster.
She drops her sweatshirt, trying to sprint faster, but running won’t save her.