Page 49 of Shadows Within

“I’ll bring the car around Miss,” he says and begins to walk off.

“No,” I step in front, cutting him off. “Just give me the keys.” I place my palm out.

He slowly places the keys in my hand and my fingers curl around them. I know that I must leave, but a part of me wants to stay. I shut my eyes—they feel so heavy.

I walk down the stone path to his car. The headlights flash as I unlock the door and slide into the driver’s seat. I rest my head against the steering wheel. I turn the car on and drive off, leaving Callum there.

When I pull up to the house, the porch light is on. I park on the street and see my reflection in the rear-view mirror. I dry my wet eyes.Dad will notice anyway.

I push all the air out of my lungs to gain strength, then get out of the car and climb up the porch stairs. My fingertips brush the worn railing.

Dad sits in his lazy boy chair. “Hey honey, I wasn’t expecting,” his voice gets quiet as he spots my red face. “What’s wrong, Scarlett?” He abruptly asks.

I can’t tell him.

“Callum and I got into a fight. It’s nothing”

“It doesn’t look like nothing.” Concern grows in his voice.

“Dad, please, not tonight. I’m just going to go to bed and sleep it off.”

“Okay. Well, I’m here if you need anything. I love you, honey.”

I know he’ll be there, but it will break him when he finds out about Mom. Even though they aren’t together, she’ll always be the love of his life. He doesn’t deserve this. We don’t deserve this.

“I love you too, Dad. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Eventually I’ll tell him, I just need to figure out how. And I need to figure out what the hell is going on. I make my way up the stairs, my legs carrying my tense body and broken heart. I reach my bedroom, push my shoes off, and flop onto the bed.The comforter swallows me whole and as I curl onto my side. I close my teary eyes and release a quiet sob.

For the first time in the last few months, I think about the possibility that Callum and I might not work out. Maybe we were never meant to survive each other.

Sympathy

Callum

The taillights of my car fade into the distance. I stand outside alone, watching her drive away.I need to make this right. I run my hand over my mouth and grab my jaw. I pull my phone out of my pocket and call Harrison, but there’s no point. The music is too loud. I know he’s inside, the last place I want to be, but I need to get to her.

I push the manor door open without resistance. Faded red strobe lights burn my squinting eyes. I search for Harrison and don’t see him.

He’s likely upstairs with the Highers.

I head toward the spiral staircase and run up, two stairs at a time. Once I get to the top, I stop, let out a deep breath, and straighten my jacket.

I can’t let them see me like this.

The music is muted upstairs. These walls have heard too much, these floors have seen too much, and somehow, they always ask for more. I open the door to the lounge. The familiar scents of cigars and aged whiskey claw at my throat. I spot Harrison, drinking alongside half of the other pledges and a few Highers.

“Harrison.” I make my way over to him.

“Callum.” He grabs my arm and smiles. “Where’s Scarlett?”

He can see the pain in my somber eyes. He doesn’t let go of my arm. Instead, he guides me to the other side of the room. “What’s wrong?”

I try to keep my composure while laughter fills the room—sharp and cruel.I need to get the hell out of here.I clear my throat.

“She left, can I uh–can I borrow your car?”

Harrison is my best friend. He’s the only person who has seen me break down. He understands the pressure that we live with–from The Society, from our parents, and from ourselves. He pisses me off more than most people, but I’d still go to war for him. Blood or not, he’s the only one who’s ever come close. I trust him with my life.