Page 13 of The Collector

Mynx's jaw tightened as she made her decision. "Fine. I'll go. Under one condition. You make that piece of shit— work off the debt too." She jabbed her finger towards her father.

Cyndi's sobs stopped abruptly, her head snapping up in alarm. "Mynx, you can't mean that, you can't leave us! What will I do alone—with Mom, with school?"

Mynx turned to her sister, taking in her flustered red face, her green eyes widened in shock. "You'll make it— Day by day, just like I will. Because we're strong and we won't let life beat us down. Mom needs you— I need you, Cyndi. You can do this— for us."

Cyndi nodded, her lips pulled into a tight line.

Mynx turned back to Raven. "How much does he owe anyway?"

"Three million dollars."

Her jaw dropped. "Three million? It'll take me a lifetime to pay that off! What kind of man gives someone like him a loan that large?"

Raven avoided the question.

"If you agree to the terms," he said, leaning back in his chair, "I'll give you fifteen minutes to say your goodbyes. Gather any personal items you'd like to bring but avoid anything foolish. Your sister will stay with us while you get everything together. Just keep in mind that if you don't come with us, she will inherit the debt instead. We'll go over the contract for your services tomorrow."

"Fine," Mynx spat, her tone bitter. "But what happens to him?" Her grip tightened on Cyndi, who'd begun sobbing anew, her fingers clutching her sister as though trying to anchor herself to safety.

Raven smirked, his expression dark. "Thomas will also be working off his debt—but in a different way. As promised. Stoker here will ensure that the contributions he makes are substantial. Won't you, Stoker?

Raven looked to Stoker for a response. Stoker grabbed Thomas by the shoulder and squeezed. "It will be my pleasure, Raven."

Mynx looked on with no sense of empathy. She doubted he'd ever get what he truly deserved for putting their family in this situation. She let go of Cyndi and stood to go pack. Kiss her mother. Prepare herself mentally for what she was about to have to do.

Cyndi shook her head frantically. "Mynx, no—! Don't leave! I can't do this without you!"

"You can and you will," Mynx insisted, her voice soft, firm. "You're so much stronger than you think. And I'll come back. I promise, okay—? I'll come back."

She pulled Cyndi into her arms, holding her tightly as sobs wracked her little sister's frame. Cyndi clung to her desperately, as though letting go would mean losing her forever. Mynx gently eased back, pressing a soft kiss on her sister's damp hair before stepping away.

She turned quickly to hide her own tears and headed to her bedroom. The familiar space offered little comfort as she flicked on the light. Instead, it seemed to stare back at her, a reminder of everything she was leaving behind and of her failure to keep her family safe.

Damn my father—, damn him for putting me in this position.

She grabbed her backpack from the floor, shaking slightly as she pulled open her dresser drawers. Her hands hovered over the clothing for a moment before withdrawing.

What was the point? Raven said I wouldn't need clothes—everything would be provided for me.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

She focused on the things that mattered most. A picture of her mother and Cyndi sat framed on her nightstand, a bittersweet reminder of happier times. She placed it carefully into the bag, followed by her worn diary—its pages filled with her thoughts. Her eyes landed on the stack of books by her bed. She tucked a few of her favorites neatly into the bag. Finally, her gaze fell on Briar, the plush rabbit her mother had given her as a child. She hugged the stuffed animal to her chest for a moment before adding it to the bag.

She wished she could live in the past when everything had been simpler, when a stuffed animal could ease her pain.

Her heart felt heavier with each memento she packed, the weight of her situation sinking deeper into her soul. She straightened her shoulders and took a steady breath. She wasn't doing this for herself—she was doing this for them. For her mom. For Cyndi.

She turned out the light then crossed the hall to her mother's room, where the soft hum of the oxygen machine was the only sound breaking the silence. Her mother lay sleeping, her features peaceful for the first time in days. The medication was doing its job, numbing the pain that plagued her body. That eased the pain that cinched Mynx's heart just a little.

Leaning down to the bed, Mynx softly touched her mother's cheek before kissing it lightly. "I'll see you soon, momma," she whispered.

Her mother seemed to stir slightly but didn't wake. Her breathing remained slow and steady. Mynx watched each precious breath, allowing herself one last moment to linger, her heart aching as she straightened and left the room. A thought crossed her mind. What if I never see her again?

She pushed the thought away. She would. Come hell or high water. She would see her mother again.

When she returned to the living room, she found Cyndi waiting by the couch, her face still pale and blotchy from crying. Mynx crossed the room and placed her hands on her sister's shoulders one last time.

"You can do this," she said firmly, locking eyes with her. "I believe in you, Cyndi. Promise me you'll try your best."