Page 25 of Dancing with the Devil

“You can explain!” I barked into my cellphone with my fist clenched at my side. “Nereus, you couldn’t explain anything the last time so please, humor me.”

A heavy sigh fell from his mouth.“Look, I’m sorry—”

“Sorryis what you fucking should be!” I shot back in frustration. “I’m practically running for my life and all you have to say issorry?” I asked in disbelief. “These men came to my house, looking for me! They chased me for miles and pulled weapons out on me and you’re sorry!” I scoffed, running my hand through my hair.

“I’ll make it right.”

“Oh, you’ll make it right?” I mocked, too angry to let him even speak. “You’ve been making it right since we were fucking sixteen, dammit!”

Tears brimmed in my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

“You say you’re trying to fix things but you’re not. Why should you? It’s not likeI’mbeing hunted, tormented and stalked byyourdirty cop! I mean why should you care when you’re sun bathing with girlfriend number four—God, what is wrong with you—” my voice cracked.

“Sylvester?”

“Yes! Sylvester! I’ve been dealing with him for a year and a half and I can’t anymore—Nereus I’m tired,” I choked out, throwing my head back. “I can’t do this anymore so just know…” I paused, feeling my heart ache. It was as though I could hear each crack that attacked my heart. “I’m done running. If Sylvester catches up to me again it’ll be my last day breathing because I’m too fucking selfless to give up your location, and Ireallywish I got the selfish gene.”

“Please, don’t say that.”

An unsettling amount of bitterness coated my words. “I’m done running. If Sylvester kills me then so be it. But just know that you killed me the day you got involved with him. I’m done, Nereus.”

“Let me deal with Sylvester, I promise I’ll fix it,”he pleaded goosebumps spread across my skin as more tears brimmed in my eyes.

My voice cracked. “Fix it or loose me.”

Immediately ending the call, I clutched my phone in both hands as my chin trembled. I took a deep breath in, slowly exhaling as I blinked away my tears.

“They’re gone.”

Whipping around, I saw the stranger with his hands behind his back as his green eyes stared at me intently. I swallowed hard, looking behind him.

“Thanks,” I murmured before walking towards the door that he was standing in front of. “And I’m sorry for earlier. Running into youandthe kiss.”

“Where are you going?” he dismissed my apology, and I shrugged my shoulders.

“Somewhere. Anywhere that’s not here,” I opened the door. It was as though I had opened myself up to the cruel and ugly world. As though this would beitfor me. But I hadn’t come this far to give up, so I let it in. I accepted my reality.

“You have money for a cab?” he asked and I stopped with a strong grip on the door hand.Do I?

“Yeah.”

“You’re lying,” he said, turning to face me entirely. “Let me pay for your—”

“No,” I interrupted him. “I’ll walk to the nearest ATM. I have my card, just not cash so it’s okay,” I shook my head. “Thank you and I’m sorry,” I rushed out before he could stop me. I made my way across the road, hurrying down the sidewalk.

Dragging my feet across the crosswalk, my head snapped left as a loud honk sliced through the air.Fuck.

Apologizing to the driver, I rushed onto the sidewalk and came across an ATM. After drawing some money, I made my way to the first clothing store I came across and thereafter, I headed over to a motel to book in for the night. I just need to clear my head.

Whilst walking, dark clouds coated the sky, absorbing every last bit of sunlight. Goosebumps rose on my bare legs as the chilly air tickled my skin.

With reluctance, I entered the motel. It’s just one night, Nirah. This place doesn’t have to be The Ritz-Carlton.

It felt as though the stuffy hallway with peeling wallpaper had been getting narrower the longer I walked. I finally reached my bedroom door—with a rusty gold number 205—and unlocked it.

I stepped into my motel room and locked the door behind me. I dropped everything on the bed, and fell onto the bed,laying on my back. My breathing accelerated and I squeezed my hands into fists at my side.Don’t.Cry. You have to get back to the house. We do not run.You, do not run.

I brought the pads of my fingertips of my neck, fisting my hand against my chest.