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Destroyed Pepper Winters 29100K 2023-09-01

I wanted to hate hiain and again

But ultiave hiing events caed through the doors of Obsidian’s fighting floor and almost knocked me on my ass I’d been on my way out--about to leave Fox’s world forever--when she burst in out of nowhere

I whirled backward, only to be caught by Corkscrew as he appeared right behind her

One look fro had happened to Clara

"Is she okay? Tellhtmarish scenarios crushed one forever

My eyes greider; heart pounded harder "She’s de--dead?"

Corkscrew’s fingers dug intome steady as Clue captured my cheeks and shook her head Her al, but she see God

Panic gave way to undiluted anger

"You gavepanic attack to coed Corkscrew off, clutchingheart "I don’t understand"

Clue shot a look at her backup support Ben was the one ed and said, "She collapsed at school" His voice was soft and s me calm even as my body felt as if it exploded with shrapnel "She suffered a seizure for three minutes The school called an ambulance who took her to the ER"

My brain swa true Too soon It’s too soon!

Her coughing fit the other night and now this? Her symptoms had increased rapidly

I’d have to ask Fox for the money now I’d have to co with another one hundred thousand dollars

Clue strokedwonders for ht The doctors don’t knohat caused it--"

I snarled "Of course they knohat caused it Fucking idiots for not catching it sooner" I clutched ed in my heart "They didn’t catch it, Clue Because of their hter to death"

I’d always held such tight rein on rief, but in that second I wanted to explode I wanted to tear through the globe like an angry typhoon and wreck as much destruction as possible

I wanted to destroy the doctors who ruinedanymore Fox had hurt me Life had slapped me in the face My past had alh!

A ulping breaths

If you start crying now, you’ll never stop

"It’s okay, Zelly It’s going to be okay" Clue stroked , "It’s a bitch of a situation, but she’s alright Honestly to look at her you’d think she faked it just to get out of school You don’t have to worry"

I threw my hands up "I don’t have to worry?" Tears shot up ht I lie in bed, counting her breaths,sure she’s still with me One day, there will be no more breaths, Clue! Then what? What the hell do I do with ret and hatred for myself crashed like a tidal wave Where had I been while Clue picked upfucked by a

Your priorities are all screwed up

I hatethat happened with Fox seemed trivial So what if he hurt me? So what if I had some saviour complex? So what if it was my fault he’d snapped?

I’d pushed him too far, and I could only blame myself for the consequences He hadn’t meant to hurtfor a way out--sa y dry until I was ee of ive, but I had to keep going I didn’t have the luxury of forgetting or indulging in tears

Clara was the one who needed me

She was all that athered ht arranting me a moment of lucidity

He and Clue barely knew each other, but he’d becoht I’d return houest, and completely besotted with Clue

His deep voice vibrated in his chest "It’s okay We’re here for you if and when that happens For now…Clue Tell her"

I went froain in a second "Tell me what?"

Clue took a step back "After the ER, we headed hoe tantruo home without you I’d never seen her so upset or stubborn She was a little spitfire"

My ears rang, clanging with loud, terrifying bells Please don’t say it--

Ben cleared his throat "I know it’s not the best idea to bring a kid to an illegal fight club, but…well, she’s here"

"What?" I screeched, attracting the attention of two burlydaughter to afor you Corkscrew cao ho to calht--just the three of us--like old tihter in the car in front of an illegal club How stupid can you be?"

My body was consu so close to the devil inside Fox Two parts of my life I wanted to keep separate Two parts that should never everher in here," Clue said