Afterlight ✔️

chapter twenty-two

— Chloe Romano

I was puzzled to know that there was someone dainty in this town. I came here, being a target to everyone, including Justin. It was an all around shock that someone wanted to welcome me with open arms in Stratford. Violet didn't want to point guns at me, call me unfitting names or use me. In fact, I was so sick of being used for others revenge or own personal matters, I just didn't want to be around other people, anymore. But, the reason why I found Violet Noir still suspicious, was because she wanted to make me feel as if I were home. I didn't understand why she wanted to come off at me at this sort of manner.

She knew I was Chloe Romano, the number one target of Venom, so why didn't she want to harm me like the rest of the gang? It wasn't processing in my head. I peered up to see Violet, leaning over my weak body, towering over me. She was about an inch taller than me, and had freckles around her nose. She still had that smile on her face that brightened up the whole room, it was nice to see someone smiling at me around here, but it was absurd at the same time. I had no clue how to handle it.

"Oh no, sweetie." Violet giggled brightly, letting positivity fill the air. "I'm not like the others."

"What do you mean?" I questioned, walking into the opposite direction.

I entered the living room to head over to the couch, spotting the familiar Canadian flag blanket, pinching each end and folding it until it made a perfect square. I then sat it on the coffee table in front of the couch, next to the ashtray in a neat position. The house was officially clean and back to normal.

"I mean that just because I'm involved with the gangs, doesn't mean I'm going to rip you apart." She explained from the other side of the room, projecting her voice so that I could hear her clearly.

I took a step back into the kitchen to see Justin leaning with his back against the counter, biting into an apple. Glancing away from him, I stood in front of Violet, glaring into her aqua blue eyes. Her eyes were bright and welcoming, so it added on even more guilt.

"It's just a shocker because everyone in this town is out to get me." I stated, keeping my hands to my side.

"I'm not, Jay isn't, and I'm sure my other brother, Nick, doesn't have a problem with you." She cocked her head to the side, curling her perfectly pink moisturized lips into a playful grin. "He's genuinely a good person."

I let out a sigh of relief, shifting all of my focus on Nick. Earlier that day, when Venom decided to attack Justin and I, Nick was the only member off to the side, minding his own business. It showed that him and Violet really were related. Dean on the other hand, I didn't understand. Dean was so dark, gloomy and violent. Violet was bright, welcoming, and gracious.

I didn't see a relation between the two at all.

"I'm confused. So, Dean and Nick are your brothers?" I questioned in a befuddled manner, clutching a lock of my hair and placing it behind my right ear.

"I'm related to Nick by blood, but Dean is my step brother." She bowed her head in embarrassment, as if she knowing what Dean had done to me. "It's been that way for two years."

"So..." My voice trailed off in confoundment.

"I know Dean did you wrong." She murmured, cupping her hands together. "I'm sorry he put you through that."

I gave her a sympathetic smile. "Don't be sorry, it's not your fault."

Violet nodded. "I have to go, guys." She announced apologetically. "If I'm not home soon enough, my parents are going to shank me!" She squealed, frowning a little.