I trek through the empty halls, waiting in front of the massive doors and windows for the sight of Sage’s Maxima to show up.
When it does, I run outside, slipping into his warm car, letting my body melt into the heated seats.
Sage looks worried, and when the first words he utters are, “I’m so sorry,” I know they told him about the other school, or he saw it on TV.
I look out the window, pretending I don’t see the tall form standing outside, hands in pockets, sans coat.
“Me too.”
Chapter Forty-Three
I’m taken by surprise when Sage parks across the street from Watchtower. He puts the car in park, letting the engine run, and looks over at me with a tender expression. “I guess this is your thing with Ansel,” he pulls a face at the name, “but I thought we could get coffee before going home.”
Giving a slow nod, I reach for the handle.
We walk across the street, placing our order.
“Should we sit?”
Again, I give him a nod.
He lets me choose the table. Despite it being the middle of the day many are already taken.
While he waits for our order, I sit down, tapping my fingers against the lacquered tabletop.
One of the regular workers hands him the drinks and flashes a smile in my direction with a wave.
Sage places the cups down, pulling out the chair across from me.
He rubs a hand over his face, picking up his coffee cup and taking a sip. Sitting it back down he wraps his long fingers around it. “I don’t even know what to say, D.”
“You can’t change what happened today.” I bring the straw to my lips, sipping my boba tea. “Evil exists and we have to deal with it.” Running my fingers through my wind-tangled hair, I take a breath. “I … wasn’t expecting it. I should’ve, but … I couldn’t anticipate it happening again so close.”
Sage flinches.
“It could’ve so easily been my new school. What are the odds?” I let out a humorless laugh. “It’s not fair, and I know the saying is life’s not fair, but some things should be, you know?” Sage’s lips pinch, but he sits quietly, letting me speak. “I should be able to walk into school without fear. I shouldn’t have to look over my shoulder, wondering if some asshole with a gun is lurking around the next corner. I shouldn’t be afraid of tight spaces or rooms without windows. But that fear lives inside me and so many others, and at the end of the day it doesn’t matter. We don’t matter.”
“You matter to me,” Sage whispers, reaching out with one hand and placing his on mine.
I turn my hand palm up and squeeze his hand. “I know.”
Neither of us say it, but when I look in my brother’s eyes, so close to the shade of my own, I know we’re both thinking the same thing.
If only it were enough.
Sage drops me off at the condo. He has to return to work after a call he received on our way back. I could tell he was pissed, but he didn’t tell them to shove it. Instead, he fell into place like a good little minion.
I enter the empty space like usual, turning on lights as I go.
Hating the eerie silence more than usual, I put my music on and grab a change of clothes, padding across the hall to the bathroom.
Turning the water on, I wait for it to steam the room before I slip out of my dirty clothes and toss them in the nearly full hamper. Since Sage had to go back to work, I might as well do the laundry once I’m out.
Anything to keep me busy and my mind distracted.
I step into the glass-enclosed shower, letting the spray drench my body and hair. Standing beneath the rain shower head I watch the water swirl down the drain. Flexing my toes, painted a ho
t pink color called Flusher Blusher, my thoughts drift to Mr. Taylor.