Falling Forward ✔

Chapter Six - Bastien

I've been walking the girls home each night for a few days now. Frank hasn't returned, but Lukas didn't want to leave anything up to chance. Since he couldn't close the café with the girls the last few nights, he asked me to get them home safe. I welcome the request, use it as an excuse to poke fun at Reece, try to break down those walls she's built around herself.

My time is spent sipping coffee and staring at Reece's black letters: It's safer being empty. And wondering how I can change it. Searching for a creative way to color the bitterness, breathe life into the darkness.

"You ready, Killfeather?" Kaila sasses, one hand pressed against the glass door. I tear my gaze away from the Wall of Expression, meet her eye, and nod. As I stand, my body aches with bruises and residual stiffness, I can't suppress the low groan.

"You shouldn't push yourself so hard," Reece jabs, scowling at my stiff stance.

I snort, sidle up beside them, and toss an arm around each of their shoulders. "Can't help it." I shrug, wince, and jerk my head at the soft, white flurries outside. "It's fucking snowing."

"Whoa! I hadn't noticed," Kaila snarks as we lumber through the doorway. The night has become increasingly vicious, and I suddenly regret electing for only a hoodie and toboggan. I know I'll warm as the walk progresses, which is more than I can say for the girls.

Reece turns the key in the lock and faces us, her expression agonized.

"It's not supposed to stick, should be gone by the morning." She says, glaring up at the night sky as if by allowing snow to fall, it's personally offended her. A gust of wind whistles past us, and Reece shivers, Kaila mimicking the gesture.

"You two need more clothing," I gripe, removing my hat and offering it to Reece. Compared to Kaila's flimsy knit beanie, her head is entirely exposed, and she clearly needs the warmth more than me.

Reece shakes her head, "You need that."

I remain with my hand extended. "I'm used to the cold. Take it."

Kaila takes it for her, shoving it down over Reece's ears and herding us all along the sidewalk. "Is Montreal comparative to Antarctica? Because we," Kaila gestures between herself and Reece, "don't do cold well."

I chuckle. "Lead the way, ladies."

Kaila hooks her arm through Reece's and tugs her along ahead of me toward the building's back alley.

I shove my hands in my pockets, brace against the chill. "Ever thought to invest in a car?"

"As if," Reece answers, looking back at me. "We can barely afford—"

A dark figure launches out from behind the alley wall. Kaila's arm jerks free, and a strangled yelp escapes her as she's dragged further into the cloying darkness. Reece stumbles, hits the ground on all fours.

Son of a bitch.

"Get off me!" Kaila cries.

I'm already bolting forward, skidding past Reece prone on the pavement. I vault over garbage cans in time see Frank with one arm around Kaila's neck, the other clamped around her inner thigh. Shit. Can't exactly brute-tackle the dickhead with her in the way.

Thankfully Kaila bucks; Frank curses when her head connects with his nose. There's a crack, blood runs, and Frank slams Kaila's body into the brick building beside us. She shrieks, slumps. Then he moves for her again.

Think again, asshole. My fist connects with Frank's face before he can reach for Kaila a second time. The satisfying give of flesh and bone echoes in my knuckles, my hand.