...
❝He was the poison I was dying to taste on my lips.❞
...
I was a coward.
The coward who wanted to leave behind the wreckage of her life for the man who had tormented her for as long as she could remember. The boy who had spit venom at me gro...
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GUNSHOTS AND SCREAMS descended in the darkness, rapid motion everywhere as hundreds of people blindly scrambled for cover. River and I looked at each other and when another loud pop sounded scarily close to us, he didn't hesitate to grab hold of my hand and lead me away from the chaos happening in the room.
I didn't question him as we rushed out, heart pounding in my throat, tightening my fingers around his. The only advantage we had over everyone else was that we knew the layout of the museum inside-out after weeks of visiting and planning, allowing River to take us to a private room on the topmost floor that hardly a soul ever visited.
He pushed me inside first before locking the door behind him and taking hold of both my arms. "We're safe. Calm down, Ribbon."
I nodded frantically, trying to calm my breathing. "What about— what about everyone else?"
He rubbed my arm gently. "They'll be fine. I'm calling the police."
I watched as he dialled 999, calmly responding to the receiver's questions, who immediately assured that the police were on the way.
He hung up after thanking them, feeling my pulse with the hand that was still on my wrist, only retracting his touch when he was certain I was calm. "Better?"
"I'm fine, River, but all those people out there—" I stopped, sighing in frustration. "Isn't it selfish to guard ourselves while people who are here because of us are fighting for safety?"
"Hardly," he scoffed. "They're here to show off their wealth and keep up appearances. They'd be here no matter who organised this gala. And they'll be fine, Ribbon; there has never been record of a public murder in this town and I doubt today will be the day that changes."
"But—"
"Trust me."
Trust him. That was easy.
"Our entire plan's gone to shit," I groused instead. "All the time we spent planning has gone to waste. There'll be no auction, no dinner, nothing."
"There's nothing we can do now, I'm afraid."
"We can go out and check. Try and stop the bastard who's creating this havoc." I reached out for the door knob but River instantly caught it.
"Don't even think about it," he warned. "You're staying here until everything settles. If you're really worried, I'll go and check."
"What?" My eyes widened and I stepped in front of the door, blocking it. "No, you're not."
"Ribbon—"
I wound my arms around his middle, hugging him tightly. "Please. Don't go anywhere."
Glass shattered somewhere nearby and I startled.
River wrapped one arm around me, twisting our bodies so that he was closer to the door.
We listened intently, trying to discern any footsteps or activity, but there was only radio silence.
