Page 24 of Doxed

Birds chirp in the distance and the scattered sunlight warms my face as it struggles to shine through the trees.

I had been in my office for too many days and I needed some sunlight, so I came outside to the back deck and laid down on the plush sectional.

I love laying here and listening to the rustle of the pines and the sounds of the birds flying through the forest.

But I open my eyes when I hear the soft footsteps of Briar walking toward me. I haven't really seen her in the last few days, other than when I watch her in my cameras.

She sits down next to my head, though still a few seats away.

“Are there any updates on the girls?” she asks, her voice meek.

Sighing, because she just ruined my downtime, I sit up. “Why are you so worried about them?” I snap, glaring at her. Let it fucking go. She should be grateful I rescued her. I mean, I feel bad for them too, but shit, I couldn't save them all.

She bites the corner of her lip and shrugs. “Nobody deserves what they’re living through right now. I guess I feel survivors' guilt, and I want to help them.”

“I don't know if we can,” I admit.

Tears fill her eyes as she stares forward at the trees. “It’s also selfish in a way. If we’re not looking for them, who will?” Briar crosses her arms and slouches into the couch. “I know no one would search for me if I disappeared. Would anyone look for you?” she asks, turning her head toward me.

Her emerald eyes sparkle with the unshed tears, and she looks innocent and scared. “No.” I shake my head. “No one would look for me.”

She bites her plump lips again, and I feel a strange urge to touch them. “I’d look for you.”

My eyes narrow. “Why?” I ask.

She shrugs and looks away from me. “Because everyone deserves someone to come to their rescue.” She pauses, “Thank you for saving me,” she says quieter than before.

I don't say anything, because I didn't really have a choice. It was either save her or miss out on my revenge. She doesn't know it yet, but I didn't do her any favors.

When it’s obvious that I'm not going to say anything else, Briar stands and leaves, and I watch her go. I've never cared about anybody, and it's been a very long time since I’ve had someone care about me. It’s gotten a little harder to remember that Briar’s the reason for it all.