Page 17

FIVE

ASTER

The nightly bonfire ritual had started off a bit awkward.

Sol and Sabbath refused to even make eye contact while the rest of us sat in between them, unsure of what to say.

Thankfully, Doug was too busy talking about some random nonsense to notice.

Willie and Sandy were whispering to one another and giggling while Kaila rolled her eyes and scooted closer to me.

We all tried to act normal, but nothing felt normal.

“Is it true?” Kaila asked.

I blinked and raised my brow. “Is what true?”

Kaila looked around at Sol and Sabbath before she leaned in and whispered, “That Sabbath’s little brother tried to shoot Sol? And that’s why those two got into a fight? Wolfe was telling us what he saw, but obviously he didn’t see everything.”

My eyes looked across the flames to see Sabbath watching me closely. I sighed, knowing he was probably listening. “It was an accident, Kaila. And it was hot. I think the sun just got to everyone. That’s all.”

Kaila eyed me closely. “Is that why you jumped in between them?” She carefully played with my hair. “I’m curious. Who were you protecting in that moment, Aster? Sol, or your brother?” I didn’t like her question. “Because I thought you weren’t a fan of Sabbath, but maybe I was wrong.”

“It’s not like that.” I swatted her hand away.

Kaila smiled. “Relax, Aster. He’s your brother. There’s no crime in defending him.” She looked up at Sabbath. “Just be careful. I know you’re only step siblings, but something about the way he looks at you doesn’t sit right with me.” My eyes followed her gaze. “It’s… animalistic.”

I wasn’t sure if it was the pressure of seeing us looking at him, or the feeling of being unwelcomed at the bonfire, but Sabbath silently stood and walked away. We all watched him leave, and I swear the entire group exhaled with relief.

Things carried on as they did every night. The counselors chatted and goofed around and simply let loose. Sol kind of kept to himself, speaking only to Wolfe for a brief moment. He got up to leave, and I rushed after him.

“Sol!” I tried to keep up with his large strides. “Solomon!”

Thankfully, he stopped and turned to look at me.

His face was both surprised and worried.

“Aster? What–what’re you doing?” I felt a little woozy as I stopped, and he helped steady me.

“Hey, you okay?” He examined my wound, and I noticed his face drop.

“I’m so sorry, Aster. I really didn’t mean to hit you. Fuck, I would never hit a woman!”

I brushed his apology off. “Sol, really, it’s fine. I’m fine! Nurse B said I’ll be totally fine.” I smiled. “And I know you didn’t mean to hit me. You’re not that kind of person.”

Sol hesitated but smiled. “Thanks, Aster.”

We walked the rest of the path together and tried to forget the whole thing, but it was hard to do when we walked up the path to my cabin and spotted Sabbath leaning against the door smoking a cigarette.

Sol stopped and groaned. “I know he’s your brother, but I really don’t like that guy, Aster.

And I don’t care what anyone says, I saw the look in that kid’s eyes when he fired his arrow.

I swear, that kid was aiming for me.” I remembered how Foster mentioned it wasn’t an accident.

“Something in my gut tells me there’s something really off about those two.

I don’t like it. And I don’t like you being alone with either of them.

Especially him.” He looked over at Sabbath.

His face was clouded by smoke, but I knew he was watching us.

I shook the chills from my body. “Sabbath won’t hurt me.

” I wished I believed my own words. “You go on and head back to your cabin. I’ll deal with him.

” I showed him the fake smile I always used.

He hesitated, unsure of whether or not he should leave me alone with Sabbath.

“It’s okay. The others will be back soon anyways.

” I gently touched his arm. He eventually nodded and continued down the path towards his own cabin.

I waited until he was fully gone from view before I charged towards Sabbath.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked.

Sabbath blew a large cloud of smoke into my face, and I coughed.

“And why are you smoking?” My hand waved around as I tried to clear my lungs.

God, this felt like old times. “If Nurse B finds you out here with me, smoking, she’ll?—”

“Thisbe isn’t worried about me.” He lifted the cigarette and examined the nearly burned butt. “Trust me.”

I placed my hands on my hips with a loud huff. “Well, she’s worried about the rest of us. And the last thing I need to deal with right now is getting in trouble with her.”

Sabbath laughed. “Since when did you start acting so well behaved? You used to never obey the rules. Hence how we ran into each other.”

My brows furrowed. “Yeah, and look where that got me. I lost everything because of you and your little bad boy act.” He blew raspberries, and I smacked the cigarette from his hand.

“It’s not funny, Sabbath. While you kept living your life, I was running.

Every minute of every day. I didn’t just lose my family, I lost my home.

I have nothing but a bag full of clothes and a scar that constantly reminds me of a past I want to forget.

So yes, I follow the rules. Because if I don’t, I wouldn’t just lose this job.

I would lose a bed to sleep in and food to keep me alive.

” His smile fell, and he looked at me with a pained expression.

“You have no idea how hard my life has been since you burned it to the ground. I have been stumbling around with a constant cloud of fear and anxiety, always looking over my shoulder and waiting for the second you appeared. You have haunted me every second of every day, Sabbath. Those demons people claim to try to outrun in their lives? They’re nothing compared to mine.

And you are my fucking demon.” I shoved past him and opened the cabin door.

Sabbath remained on the porch. He silently reached down and picked the cigarette butt up and squished it in his hand. “I told you to stay away from Sol.”

My head raised as I scoffed loudly. “Really? After everything I just said, that’s your fucking concern?” I whipped around and nearly slammed into his chest. Sabbath was now standing directly in front of me.

“Yes.” His hand raised, and his fingertips hovered over the wound on my head. “He hurts you, and you still choose to be his friend. But you won’t even smile at me.” His hand tucked my hair behind my ear and rested along the side of my neck.

I stared up at him as I spat my words through clenched teeth. “He didn’t kill my family, Sabbath. You did.”

His jaw clenched so tight I swear it would snap. “I wish there would’ve been another way,” he whispered. His hand fell with his eyes. “But there wasn’t.”

“Another way? You could’ve easily chosen not to do it! Any of it! Fuck, you act like you had no choice, but you did!” My head began to throb and ache.

Sabbath’s hands balled into fists at his side. “I didn’t have a choice, Rosie.”

I’d had enough of his bullshit excuses. “You need to get out, Sabbath. And you need to leave me alone!” I pointed to the door, but he didn’t budge. “Get out! I’m sick of this game you keep playing and all the fucking excuses! You did a terrible thing and?—”

“I didn’t want to kill them, Rosie!” he snapped, and I froze in fear at his anger. He recoiled as he noticed it. “Fuck—I—” Sabbath grabbed his head. “I just wanted to protect you.”

“Protect me? From what?” Sabbath shook his head and refused to answer. “From what, Sabbath?” I pushed him. ”Huh? From what? Answer me!” My head hurt, and I nearly stumbled and fell against him.

Sabbath steadied me, but I ripped his hands away. “Rosie, you need to be careful. You’re head?—”

“Answer me!” I tried to shove him again, but I felt dizzy. I knew I needed to stop. Even if I didn’t want to. “Sabbath,” I whispered. “I-I need to lie down.”

He caught me before I could fall and cradled me close. “No, you need out of this fucking cabin. The dust isn’t good for you.” He turned around and began to walk.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked.

Sabbath adjusted his grip and walked in the opposite direction of the camp. “To get some fresh air. You need a break from this fucking camp. We both do.”

Sabbath carefully held me and trekked deep into the woods.

So deep, the moonlight could barely break through the thick overhead foliage of leaves and branches.

Everything was painted and soaked in the color of the redwood leaves, the entire forest just drenched and saturated in this distinct, thick red-orange color.

It was as if we were transported inside a painting made entirely of blood.

It was frighteningly beautiful but made me uneasy.

I clung to Sabbath’s neck. “Why are we out here?” I asked.

Sabbath stopped in front of a large redwood and carefully sat me down on the ground, propping me up against the large tree trunk.

“Your head was bothering you. I figured the fresh air would help.” I took a deep breath and exhaled.

“Did Thisbe give you anything for the pain?” I reached into my pocket and pulled out the strange pills along with the blunt he slipped me earlier.

Sabbath smiled. “I’ll take that. You take those pills.

” He grabbed the blunt and pulled a lighter from his jeans pocket.

The pills sat in the palm of my hand as I stared at them.

“What’s the matter?” he asked. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of pills. ”