The Bitter Truth

Chapter 20 ~ The plan

I've officially decided on an uploading schedule for this story, being every Thursday with updates sprinkled in when I can ❤️

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Ronny composed himself, scrunching his face and wiping his eyes before he glanced at Marcus. He could tell the man definitely had words behind his lips and was waiting to spill them.

    "Ya wanna talk to her?" Ronny asked, and Saija peeked up at her brother and then to Marcus, where he was looking.

    Marcus closed his eyes, a battle raging within him as he tried to gather himself and perhaps his own inner turmoil. He eventually reached out his hand to Saija.

    With a gentle nudge from Ronny, she stood and approached him wearily.

    He surprised her as his eyes softened for a moment, but it was very short-lived before they hardened and shot to Ronny.

    "I didn't agree to this..."

    Ronny's eyelids fluttered briefly, a sign of his understanding of the situation. He knew Marcus was right.

    "Is she still welcome on the cart?" was all Ronny could ask.

    Marcus's eyes darted and hopped from Arliss, Ronny, then Saija while he thought. When he made his decision, he spoke firmly.

    "If she ever runs off again. I am not chasin' after her."

    Before Ronny could speak, Marcus kept going, but his words were not directed at him but at Saija.

    "I will not chase and rescue ya again. Ya hear me?"

    She nodded as he grabbed her shoulders, his voice getting harsher.

    "This shit is infuriating, kid... Those men could have done evil things to ya...Do ya understand what I'm saying?"

    She nodded slowly, her eyes squinting slightly in surprise and fear.

    "I don't think ya do!" he yelled, starting to shake her by the shoulders. "They would have done despicable things to ya, boy or girl! Ya think ya behind aches now?! Imagine how sore ya would feel after all six of them bastards took a turn on ya for several days!!"

    "—Enough, Marcus!" Ronny intervened, jumping between them and snatching a whimpering Saija away.

    Marcus ran his hand down his face, taking in sharp, shaky breaths and rocking himself back and forth.

    When he glanced back up, Ronny's intense eyes were set on him.

    "Today could have been so much worse, boy.... not just her nearly being assaulted, me beaten, but the rusnine taken... Ya know the men gonna be on ya ass til it's found, right?!"

    "I know, and I will do what I can... and I'm sorry she endangered ya.... and I hope ya understand how grateful I am to ya... Arliss and I—"

    As Ronny spun around to look at Arliss, he realized he was no longer in the kitchen and seemingly disappeared.

    His head darted around, as did Marcus and Saija. No one saw him leave.

    When the three of them heard a door open, they prepared to see him coming back in, but it was Klaus.

Klaus, unaware of the unfolding moment, entered with a carefree expression, even flashing Saija a happy smile. That was until he saw her crying and standing stiffly.

    He quickly flashed Ronny's disbelieving eyes, "Yous wallop the bitty thing again?"

    All Ronny mustered was a roll of his eyes. Klaus didn't know what happened, and if he did, he would have agreed with the thrashing.