The Boy Who Has No Redemption (Soulless 8)

I squeezed his neck before I slammed the back of his head into the wall.

He groaned and choked at the same time, trying desperately to rip my hands off his neck. He tried to talk, but he couldn’t make any words because he couldn’t breathe.

“Oh, sorry.” I loosened my grip so he could inhale a breath. “Were you going to say something?”

He gasped loudly, drawing breath like he was on the verge of life and death. Then he nodded frantically.

“I didn’t catch that.” I squeezed his neck again.

“Yes!” He raised his hands in surrender. “Got it, alright?”

I threw him to the ground again because I hated this asshole, calling Emerson a bitch, extorting her for money, scaring her at her fucking home. I knew he’d tracked her down because Emerson would never bring a guy to her apartment unless they were serious, and there was no fucking way Emerson was serious with this piece of shit. “Good.” I pulled out my wallet and drew out a few hundred-dollar bills and threw them at him. “Leave.” Just in case my threats weren’t enough, he got what he came for, and there was no reason for him to return.

He glanced at the cash, like he thought it was a test and the second he touched it, I would break his face.

I stepped closer to him.

He quickly snatched the cash and got to his feet, stumbling down the hallway, looking over his shoulder over and over to keep me in his sights. When he made it to the stairway, he started to run, taking the stairs double time until his heavy footfalls turned quiet.

I was too paranoid to leave, so I lingered in the hallway a couple doors down, leaning against the wall with my hands in my pockets. I was still livid, my heart pounding so hard it actually hurt my chest. I wished that guy would get hit by a bus on his way home or get mugged and thrown in a dumpster, but I didn’t hate him more than myself.

All of this happened because of me.

And only me.

I pulled out my phone and texted Lizzie. I took care of it.

Three dots immediately popped up. He’s gone?

Yes.

You’re sure he won’t come back?

100%

Okay…thanks. Mom is trying to act like she’s fine, but she’s scared. I can tell. She has the money by the door.

It broke my heart to picture Emerson that way, all alone, protecting herself and her daughter, hating herself for getting mixed up in the situation in the first place. I knew how she was. Instead of blaming the guy for being a dick, she would blame herself for getting involved with him in the first place.

Should I tell her what you did so she stops worrying?

I wanted to be her hero in this story. I wanted her to know that her daughter ran to me and I was there for both of them. But I really didn’t do anything…except fix the problem I’d caused. I didn’t deserve any praise. No.

K.

I wanted to keep talking to Liz. I missed her. I missed our tutoring sessions. I missed the way she would tease her mom, the way she would ask me about rockets and space. I missed…having her as my friend. How’s school going?

She continued to talk to me. Um, okay.

And math? I’d asked Emerson, but I suspected she would never tell me the truth, not anymore.

I’m failing…

I rested my head against the wall and sighed, knowing Lizzie’s grades were my fault too. I’d abandoned my girls, and they suffered in my absence. I ruined her grades, I ruined their Christmas, I ruined Emerson’s happiness. Let me help you.

It’s okay, Derek. I’ll figure it out.

I want to tutor you, Liz. I wanted to spend time with her. I wanted to help.

I appreciate what you did for us with that weirdo, but I don’t want your help. You hurt my mom, and she’s still messed up from that. I still don’t like you. And you didn’t just hurt her…but you hurt me too.

My eyes started to water. I’m so sorry, Liz.

Whatever.

I made a mistake. I’d give anything to take it all back.

But you can’t. You never can. My mom is the best person I know. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t appreciate her until she wasn’t the same. She was always in a good mood when she came home, always happy to come to my games, always teasing me about stuff. But now, she’s…different. She’s quiet, sad, just kind of a ghost. I feel like I lost my mom. I’m afraid she won’t come back.

I closed my eyes as I felt the tears drip down my cheeks.

Bye, Derek.

16

Emerson

We conducted the final interviews for the forty applicants we’d selected, including the three replacements, to make sure their personalities were a good fit with the engineers at the company. I knew I could handle it solo because I understood what kind of attitude the guys had since I saw them every single day.