Tortured Souls (Rebels of Sandland 2)

LadyStoneheart23 – And his friends.

Legion – You said you felt alone. Maybe you need to start making some friends. Friends who can help you.

LadyStoneheart23 – You think I should start hanging out with his crew and piss him off? Make him come out of hiding ‘cos I stole his friends like we’re back in high school?

Legion – Maybe not quite like that, but I guess you could do with a friend or two. If it makes him step out from the shadows then it’s a win-win.

LadyStoneheart23 – I’ll think about it.

Legion – Good. And while you’re at it, think about how fucking awesome you’ve been to stand up to all the bullshit that you have.

LadyStoneheart23 – There’s been a lot of bullshit to stand up to.

Legion – Yeah? And you’re a fucking warrior. My little warrior.

LadyStoneheart23 – Thanks. Nice to know someone has my back.

Legion – back, front… it don’t matter. I’ve got you.

LadyStoneheart23 – Thanks Legion.

Legion – Stay safe, little warrior. If you ever need me, come on here. I’ll have your log in saved on my desktop like the fucking bat signal.

LadyStoneheart23 – My own Bruce Wayne.

Legion – Something like that.

LadyStoneheart23- Thanks.

Legion – Always.

I smiled and logged off my computer, feeling more empowered than I had done in weeks, months even. Maybe a visit to the Renaissance crew was in order. Perhaps I could use them to get what I wanted. No more hiding behind my bedroom curtains or relying on pseudo friends with no backbone to do a one-eighty and help me out. Legion had given me a better plan. Play the monster on his own turf. Set the rules myself. He might have thought he was the king of Sandland, but he wasn’t here, and that crown was going to get mangled under my feet. That, and every other thing in his life that was good. I was going to fucking destroy him.

The sun was beating down as I parked up in town. It was busy and I was lucky to get a space. The parking gods were on my side for once.

I used my phone to pay for the parking online and then headed in the direction of Sandland’s one and only shopping centre; a precinct filled with approximately six shops in total. Welcome to Sandland. The heart of complete nothingness.

I kept my head down and strolled along, oblivious to the outside world. When I got nearer to the coffee shop, I heard someone call out my name. On a lovely day like today, they’d always put chairs and tables outside, and when I glanced up, I saw Emily Winters waving at me. She was sitting having a coffee with two other girls. Reluctantly, I waved back and went to walk on, then I remembered what Legion had said, and I stopped and headed over to their table. Maybe I could use this to my advantage.

“Harper. Come and sit with us. Have a coffee,” Emily said, radiating goodness as she pulled out a spare chair next to her.

“Erm… Okay. Maybe just one.”

I sat down, trying to look sane even though I felt like a freak. I didn’t know how to act anymore. I couldn’t stop shaking.

“Harper, this is Liv and Effy. Girls, this is Harper.”

I gave them a forced smile.

“You’re Brodie’s twin sister,” Liv blurted out, her eyes like saucers.

“I think she already knows that, Liv,” Emily snapped and then turned to me. “How are you feeling?” She reached out and rubbed over my hand. This girl liked physical contact, which was something I’d always struggled with. Even before losing Brodie.

“I dunno,” I said, keeping my eyes on my lap and shrugging. “I get up. I get through the day. Then I go to bed. That’s pretty much my life right now.”

Shit. I was being way too honest.

“You’re so brave to come out today,” Effy said, then blushed as if she was supposed to wait to be addressed before speaking to me.