𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗘𝗥

𝘍𝘐𝘎𝘏𝘛𝘌𝘙 & 𝘙𝘜𝘕𝘕𝘌𝘙

"Will you let me in?"

Ruka asked.

The sincerity was clear in her pleading voice. I held onto the lock wondering whether or not should grant her access. Despite all the evidence telling me that I should leave Ruka alone all together,
I couldn't.

She deserved a chance to tell her side of the story. I unlocked my door and as she walked in I told her.

"I can't handle anyone lying to me.
If you want me, you have to be honest.
I understand that talking about your past is difficult but I have to know."

She nodded.

"I understand."

"Who was he?"

She exhaled a big puff of air.

"My mother's boyfriend."

"Why'd you hurt him?"

"Because He hurt my Mom."

She grumbled looking everywhere but my face.

"And me."

"How?"

"He hit her."

"and he hit you?"

I asked.

She shook her head.

"I wish I were lucky enough to just get smacked around."

Ruka fought a cryptic giggle as she looked around.

"You're staying here?"

"How did he hurt you?"

She was dodging my question but
I couldn't let her. I moved toward her and stroked her cheek. She leaned into my hand for just a second before pulling away.

"I thought we agreed that you're staying with me."

I raised my brow. "I never said that. How did he hurt you?"

"There are some things you think you wanted to know but you don't. You can't handle it. And I can't handle telling you."

I folded my arms and plopped on the bed in defeat,

"Who are you to tell me what I can and can't handle?"

Ruka shut her eyes before she let her head fall back against the wall.

"All you need to know is that I didn't kill him, and that he's serving time in prison for what he did to me and my
Mom."

"How long were you in prison?"

I asked her.

"It was a juvenile detention center."

"How long were you there?"

"Eighteen months?"

"For murder?"

"It was self-defense. I couldn't afford a lawyer back then. The court appointed an overworked and underpaid public defender who could barely remember my name."

"What did he do to you?"

I asked softly.

"I don't want you living in a hotel."

She said pretending she hadn't heard me.

"I have a vacant apartment not too far from here. I'll take you to see it. If you'll like it, you can stay there."

"Thank you."

I stood and kissed her once on the mouth. I appreciated her generosity but I needed to know what she was hiding from me. Not knowing was making me crazy.