NEFARIOUS; AN UNLAWFUL DEVOTION

4◽

◽A CHILD'S GAME?◽

◽MARIAN'S POV◽

I stared out of the bedroom window, hoping for some sign of life outside, but the neighborhood looked as dead as I felt inside. No kids playing, no dogs barking, not even a rogue squirrel darting through the trees. Just silence. Creepy silence.

I’d already binged every show and read every book I could get my hands on. Talking to the walls wasn’t much fun either, and the only person willing to engage in conversation with me was Martini. Everyone else acted like I was invisible, treating me like the prisoner I technically was.

Was I that dangerous to talk to? Would a simple hello turn their lives upside down? Apparently, yes.

My mind kept drifting back to thoughts of my parents. Their faces haunted me, the pain of losing them still fresh, like a wound that refused to heal. I couldn’t shake the unfairness of it all. Why did they have to die? Who was responsible? And why was I stuck here, waiting for answers that might never come?

I wanted to ask Marco about the search for my sister, to know if they were any closer to finding her or uncovering the truth. But after my last outburst, I wasn’t sure approaching him again was the best idea. I’d spoken out of turn, crossed too many lines, and now, I felt like I was overstaying my welcome.

I sighed, missing the days when life was simple. When my biggest worry was figuring out where to meet up with my friends.

I missed Farian, always gossiping about her latest fling or her gay friends’ drama. I missed Angel, who had a habit of proposing to random hot guys on the street. And I missed Lauren, whose chatter about her boyfriend never seemed to end. Even Addy, who constantly nagged us to keep it down while she rewatched Star Wars for the hundredth time.

But all of that felt like a distant dream now.

“What’s on your mind?” Martini’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. He was sitting across from me, his usual calm expression giving nothing away. At least he tried to make conversation, unlike the others, who acted like I had the plague.

“My friends,” I replied. “I miss them.” My voice came out softer than I intended, a little crack in my carefully constructed armor.

Martini nodded, sympathy in his eyes. “I know it’s hard. But things are complicated right now. We’re doing our best.”

His words were supposed to be comforting, but they only made the silence around us feel heavier. I hadn’t really paid much attention to Martini before, but now that I thought about it, he was the only one who showed me any kindness in this place.

And I hadn’t noticed how good-looking he was either. His muscular arm, the subtle kindness in his eyes, his laid-back charm.

it was hard to miss now.

My thoughts took a sudden turn. Flirting with Martini might be a fun way to pass the time,

then again, I was pretty sure my flirting skills were on par with a drunk toddler’s. I'd probably just embarrass myself. Best not to go down that road.

Martini must’ve noticed my change in mood because his face lit up with an idea. “I can help you kill some of that boredom,” he said, looking oddly excited.

I raised an eyebrow. What was he going to suggest? Hide-and-seek? A game of cards? I wasn’t expecting much, especially considering they hadn’t even let me have internet access. TikTok could’ve saved me, but no, I was stuck in this digital desert.

Before I could ask, he continued, “Marco has cousins around your age. They visit sometimes. I could invite them over.”

I blinked. Cousins? As in, people I didn’t know? The thought of meeting new people made my stomach twist, but maybe it was better than staring at these four walls. Maybe.