𝑴𝒚 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 | 𝟏𝟖+

~ can I see a badge? ~

Ethan's perspective

The gentle morning light filters through the curtains, casting a golden glow on the room. I will open my heavy eyes and roll onto my side.

Ruby rests peacefully beside me bringing a grin to my face.

I watch the delicate rise and fall of her chest, the subtle quake in her lip as her mind runs wild in the realm of imagination, her tousled morning hair - it's better than I ever could've pictured.

My whole body lightens as she shuffles into my chest, still sleepy and seeking warmth.

I brush my fingers along her soft cheek, outlining her beautiful face. I marvel at the sight of her relaxed features, her long lashing casting shadows down her cheek, the cute freckle on her upper cheek and the small bump on the bridge of her nose.

The silence is welcoming as I lay next to her, just simply taking her in.

I wish I could stay here forever, like this, just us.

But I can't.

Ruby wants to go to the police and do the 'right thing'. I want to run away with her, to find my sister and live happily ever after - well, as happily as someone on the run can live.

Honestly, if I had her by my side I wouldn't mind the constant fear of capture. But I know one thing for sure, it has to be her idea or she'll hate me forever.

I'm not going back there.

She probably has no concept of the isolation, the agony of missing her and my sister, the harassment and beatings from the guards, not to mention the slander I get on the news.

They call me a villain, a murderer and a monster. They paint me in shadows yet I find solace in the rationality of my actions. They say those with a moral compass should feel guilty when doing wrong, yet I don't feel it's weight on my shoulders. For me, every action was a means to an end.

My motives were clear - protect my sister, protect myself.

I was only 15, her 10 when we were roped into the world of crime. Our parents had debts and the sharks came to collect. At first, it was fine, just coffee runs and normal shit. But then, it turned into cleaning up their messing. My sister was scared, she couldn't keep doing the jobs and wanted to quit. When they asked us to harm people, she put her foot down. They almost killed her, but I agreed to do her dirty work.

Eventually, I got so good at it that they promoted me.

I was labelled The Viper. I used my sister's pets for their venom and killed all the horrible men they requested. After a few years, I grew numb to the idea of death.

I started to believe in their goal, to believe in God.

He wanted to rid the world of evil, to destroy the wicked system. There was no doubt that we were evil too, so we all signed a pack that once the world was cured we, too, would vanish.

I had a purpose. Even if it was founded in the shadows.

Each step I took, each life I altered, was a testament to my resolve. I was proving myself to God, saving my sister and doing 'the right' thing.

Because in the end, right and wrong are just subjective.

But now... I see the light.

Here, with Ruby in my arms, reminds me of what we're fighting for, and yet, I don't want to fight anymore. I don't want to abandon Ruby.

I'm starting to see how wrong God has been, and how wrong his methods are.

Killing people is not the way to success, but I'm too deep to escape now.

I know I don't deserve Ruby, a pure soul like hers shouldn't be entangled with my sin-tainted one. But I love her more than myself and I can't give her up, I'm too selfish to.

Maybe... if I'm with her, I can redeem myself and become worthy.

I can't redeem myself or save my sister from within a cell.

But the alternative is forcing Ruby to do the 'wrong' thing.

Fuck.

What have I gotten myself into?

Ruby stirs in my arms, eyes fluttering open to meet mine. A faint smile blooms on her face.

"Good morning," She murmurs while wiping her eyes.

"Morning,"

She stretches her body out in a star shape across the bed and I cuddle up to her waist.

A tang of anxiety makes my stomach twist. I cling to her tighter and pray the moment will last forever in my memory.

"Are you alright?" She asks in a whisper.

I nod slowly against her - a lie.

"Oh no," she mumbles while staring out a gap in the blinds, "it's beginning to rain,"

The small raindrops cling to the window before racing down as storm clouds darken the room.

"That alright, we-"

The piercing sound of her doorbell rings throughout the house and cuts me off.

Ruby jumps up and goes to greet the visitor and I follow close behind.

Yarning, I wait around the corner for her to finish.

"Hello," the masculine voice grabs my attention, "I'm with the police,"

"How can I help you?" Ruby replies, annoyance lacing her voice.

"We have reason to believe Ethan Woods might attempt contact with you," I flinch at my name being said, "have you heard from or seen him? We need to bring him in."

She stays silent for a moment.

"Ma'am, this is extremely important."

"Can I see a badge?"

He snickers and my heart stops.