Page 7 of The Shape of my Scar (The Unbroken #1)

T ime stretched like skin over emaciated bone—thin, fragile, and ready to split at the slightest provocation.

They had agreed that the moment Rubin came, it would begin. But the waiting was worse than anything Thane had felt before.

The hours crawled.

Each creak of the floor above made his breath hitch. Every distant noise had them staring at the door like half-starved dogs.

Maro paced the room, muttering under his breath, twirling the sharpened spoon between his fingers like a coin. His bare feet made soft, scuffing sounds across the floor.

Thane sat on the cold ground, back to the wall, gnawing his fingernails down to bleeding nubs. He didn’t realise he’d gone too far until the pain made him stop.

Zel didn’t move. He turned fifteen yesterday and hadn’t told anyone.

He sat cross-legged by the door, like a statue carved from bone. His shiv rested in his palm, glinting dully in the low light. Every so often, his fingers flexed, but his eyes didn’t seem to blink.

Lirian leaned in the corner, utterly still. Eyes closed, listening. Every few minutes, his fingers twitched against his leg like he was counting. Or praying.

Across the wall, Dory whispered, “What if it doesn’t work?”

’Thane leaned closer to the crack in the concrete. “We won’t mess it up,” he whispered back.

She didn’t answer right away.

“Don’t let them catch you bring you back. Even if it means you don’t come back for me.”

His throat burned.

“I’ll come back,” he said. “Even if I have to run, I will come back with the coppers.”

He heard her exhale softly, the sigh heavy with held back tears.

“Then run fast, Thane.”

They waited.

And waited.

And waited.

The key sliding into the lock felt almost anti-climactic.

There was a click, and the door creaked like it always did, a slow and casual sound that made Thane’s stomach knot.

Rubin stepped inside reeking of sweat, whisky, and overconfidence. His boots were heavy. He didn’t even bother to close the door behind him at first before he changed his mind and locked it. He set the foil trays on the side of the door.

He grunted as he moved further into the room.

Maro stiffened.

Thane’s thoughts closed around the plan in his mind.

Rubin muttered, “Dumb shits. You think I don’t smell when you’re up to something?” He chuckled to himself as his hand moved to his belt before using it to pull his pants up.

“Now!” Zel sprang.

They exploded into action.

Zel rammed the shiv into Rubin’s arm, metal piercing flesh with a wet squelch. Rubin bellowed, twisting just as Maro drove forward, blade aimed high, but it hit his ribs before skidding with a sickening gritty feel.

“Get the taser!” he shouted, lunging for it.

Rubin’s elbow caught Maro in the jaw.

Zel went flying with a spray of Ruben’s blood hitting the wall.

Rubin grabbed for the taser and came up empty. He looked up just in time to watch as Thane pushed the button.

Crack.

Electricity surged through the prongs.

He knocked Rubin’s arm sideways, grabbed the handle, yanked the taser from his grip, and pressed it to his side.

Rubin’s body jerked violently, arms flailing as his knees buckled.

Thane didn’t stop.

He pressed the trigger again, buzzing it once, then again, until Rubin lay spasming on the floor, back arching, foam gathering in the corners of his mouth. Blood oozed from the wound in his chest, pooling beneath him in slow, widening spirals.

The smell of burnt fabric and singed skin filled the air.

Rubin tried to speak, but all that rolled out was a wet gurgle.

Thane’s hand trembled, but he held the taser steady.

Zel crouched beside him, voice like steel. “That’s enough. He’s done.”

Rubin twitched once more, then went still.

A dark stain spread across the floor.

“Key,” Lirian said.

Fingers slick with blood, Thane unclipped the ring from Rubin’s belt while Lirian was already at the door, jamming the first key in.

Click.

The lock turned.

The door opened.

And they ran.

Dory’s screams rang in Thane’s ears like a second heartbeat.

They turned the corner of the hall and almost missed the door.

It was different from theirs-stronger with no keyholes; only a number pad with a blinking red light.

“Thane!”

His feet skidded to a stop. The familiar voice was thready now from screaming continuously.

“Thane, please, let me out. Let me out!”

She was already at the door, pressed against the slit near the bottom. Little pink fingers reached out as far as they could.

Thane went down on his knees, his fingers touching hers. “Dory?”

“Thane,” she sobbed. “I can hear you. Please, please get me out.”

Maro shoved past, checking the handle. “Shit.”

Zel was already running a hand along the frame. “This is reinforced steel. I have seen my dad put one in.”

Dory was crying now, her voice shredding with desperation. “Don’t leave me here. Please don’t…”

Thane reached through the slit, his fingers touching hers for just for a second.

“We’re going to the police,” he said. His voice cracked on every word. “We’re going to bring them back. I swear it. Just hold on, Dory.”

She let out a half sob, half scream. “They’ll kill me. Don’t let them…don’t—”

Outside raised voices carried and they were inching closer.

The crunch of footsteps on gravel.

“Back door,” Zel growled. “They’ll be inside any second.”

Lirian was already moving. “Thane. Now.”

Thane squeezed her fingers through the slit.

“I’ll come back,” he whispered.

“You promise?”

“I promise. Pinky promise.”

Then, he was gone.

Her voice chased after him all the way out as Zel and Maro dragged him away.