The ashes we left behind

Chapter 16

They forced me to remove Hailey's necklace. I have to get it back before any person with bad intentions finds it. But I can't do that from a cell full of prostitutes, thieves, drunk people and maybe killers. One of those people doesn't stop looking at me. I'm always the first one to break the eyes contact. They're all strange.

"I call it home", the frunk man sitting next to me says.

I don't reply.

"It's the third time this week. So I'm getting used to it."

Can't he shut his trap and leave me alone?

Of course he cannot. He keeps on trying to make me speak by telling about his life. Then, he starts complimenting me. I don't listen to him.

"You know," he continues, sitting closer to me. "I have a lot of success with women." He puts his hands on my thigh. "They call me the-

I don't let him finish. I put my hand on his before scratching it so hard that he moans and removes it.

"Really? You want to play?" he asks. "Fine."

In less than a second, his hand lands around my neck. Nobody reacts. Nobody tries to save me. I have to do it by myself.

As I try to remove his hand, I hear a cope opening the cell. He calls my name.

"It's me", I shout since I can't move.

"Then come."

"Let me go to the cop", I tell the drunk guy.

"Beg me", he orders.

I want to throw up.

"Jim, leave the girl be", the cop orders as if he has the habit to see Jim do that. He's supposed to punch Jim for touching me. I'm starting to understand why Hailey has made the Cursed. They're the only ones who really care for the people living in Robin City. The police would see us die and would do nothing to stop.

Jim finally releases me. I get up and join the cop. I follow him down a hall that takes to the back of the police station. It's dark and I can see no one.

"Where are we going?"

He doesn't reply. That's when I understand that it's not a police requirement. So I protest. I can do nothing with cuffs around my wrist. I let him drag me to wherever he wants to. I don't want him to continue what Jim has started. I hope it's not for this. I hope it's for this.

When I see Connor's silhouette in front of a door, I can't help but smile of relief. The cope opens the cuffs and I run to Connor's arms. The latter pushes me away. After thanking the fuzz by giving him some money, he drags me outside of the building and into his car.

"I can understand that you're mad", I say while he's driving. "But I've down that for Hailey and the gang. I'm sorry I lied to you."

He doesn't say a word.

"How did you learn about me?" I ask but still I get no answer. I give up and let the rain fill the silence.

I look at myself in the mirror. I look horrible with my tired air and the woman's blood stains. It's worse on my hands. They're full of dried blood. I keep looking at them till we arrive.

We borrow the elevator. Silence again. He doesn't even look at me.

He opens the apartment's door. Eight people are waiting in the living room: Helene, Ginny, Jayden and others I've never seen before.

"You little bitch", I hear Ginny shout.

"Shut up", Connor says.

"You're going to regret it", is all she adds.

"What are we going to do now?" I dare to ask.

Ginny's eyes get wide.

None of them seem pleased to see me. They're all disappointed. And it's Helene who replies, "What are we going to do? What are we going to fuckin do?! Oh darling, don't you dare think that you're part of the gang anymore. You're just a traitor!"

"A traitor? I've just made a small lie to-

"A small lie? Hiding thousands of weapons from us and an uncountable army to destroy the city is a small lie?"

What are they talking about?

"Working with the guy who kidnapped your own sister is a small lie?!" Ginny adds. "You're just a fuckin-

Connor doesn't let her finish as he grabs me by the wrist and takes me to the corridor. We stop in front of Asher's room. Connor opens the door and pushes me inside the room.

"Connor, what are you doing?"

"What we should do to traitors."

He shuts the door, leaving me in the darkness. I turn on the small light, making Asher appear. He's still tied to the chair. He slowly turns his head to my direction.

"Glad to see you again, love."