Lanston’s eyes widen with horror.
The way he looks at me has shifted. The monster is my brother, my flesh. Born of the same damned mother and heartless father.
“But… he—” Lanston’s eyes brim with tears as he glances down to my side where Crosby made me cut myself so deeply, helped push the blade in.
That night was hell and the limit I found to my punishment. I’ve never bled so generously in one sitting, bathed in my own blood and felt that deep cold in my bones.
“He’s sick. I’m sick too,” I admit with clenched fists.
Crosby’s words echo in my mind. “You need to be punished, Liam. You survived so that you could be punished for Neil’s death.”
Lanston’s grip tightens around my wrist and he pulls me in for a hug.
I’m shocked for a second before I smile weakly and embrace him the same.
“You’ve been suffering for long enough. You’re my best friend, Liam. My brother. We need to get away from this place, find somewhere he can’t find you again. You, me, and Wynn. The three of us can make it.”
I hesitate.
A vision of the three of us, happy, walking the streets of Boston like him and Wynn talk so much about draws a painful smile to my lips. We look so relieved and… fixed. Wynn’s pink hair is curled and her wrists are covered with fresh tattoos, quotes from books she loves. Lanston’s too, with dragons and skulls. I look happy. Weightless. We walk beneath the spring foliage and warmth spreads to the darkest chambers of my heart.
But we can’t run from Crosby.
He’ll find me again.
He’ll kill everyone.
My smile fades, and the beautiful image of the three of us turns gray and dreadful. I stand before their graves.
“You need to take Wynn first and get somewhere safe. I’ll deal with Crosby and once he’s gone… I’ll find you two.”
Lanston pulls back and looks into my eyes. He’s scared. Fuck, I’m scared too.
“Okay. But we have to tell her everything. I won’t leave her in the dark any longer.”
I nod and grip my chest.
The truth would be so much easier to say if it didn’t hurt so much.
