Blind & Broken

Chapter Three

I turn around, trying to tune out the snickers that echo around the hallway. I don't bother blinking back my tears, it's not as if they're blurring my vision or anything.

I'm just the blind runt.

Useless.

Mateless.

Worthy of an Omega; nothing more.

I walk slowly down the hall, knowing any second one of my bullies might come out of nowhere and trip me. Instead, I jump as an authoritative voice rings out.

"Go home already!" The teacher shouts and I hear the sound of rushing footsteps from every direction as the students file out of the school. When I'm shoved to the ground, I'm pretty sure it isn't an accident.

I decide to just wait, sitting on my knees. There's no way I'm getting out of here alive through this stampede. But I only have to wait a few moments before a slim hand grabs my elbow and lifts me up. Flicker.

She drags me through the halls, effectively not letting me bump into anyone or anything. Soon, I can hear the sounds of nature buzzing around us and I know we've left the building.

I hear the car door open and I climb in, we're both silent. Flicker starts the car and I wait, soaking in the vibrations of the vehicle.

"Did you —"

"See the whole show?" She finishes my sentence. "Most of it. Is Colton really your mate?"

I shrug. "I thought he was. But I couldn't make eye contact with him, so I missed the crucial first step. Maybe I'm wrong and Ivy is really his mate." But I'm not wrong. Colton was my mate, but he rejected me. So I guess I'm not his mate anymore. I swallow a sob.

Flicker rubs my arm. "I'm sorry, maybe you'll find your true mate later on. Plus, if Colton was your mate, you would've started shifting by now, right?"

I know she's trying to comfort me, but it's not working. She doesn't understand. And that confirms the last detail of my plan. A plan I've been forming since sitting in that hallway, being humiliated by my twin sister and my mate.

I can't stay here. I've never been wanted, never been loved. Half the time, I'm pretty sure Flicker and I are only friends because the Alpha ordered her to take care of me. How pathetic.

The car rumbles to a stop and I hear the engine cut. I open my door and get out, not bothering to go slow and careful. I'm just done.

"Indigo!" Flicker shouts after me. I ignore her and focus on my memory of the house floor-plan. I know I've reached the stairs when I take another step and my toe hits the bottom stair. I trip, catching myself with my hands, but I quickly recover, climbing the steps as fast as I can.

"Indie!" Flicker calls again. Her voice is coming from the bottom of the staircase.

I double my speed, ignoring the flash of pain my shoulder gets from hitting something hard. Probably the banister. The other side gets hit too, on my way through my bedroom doorway. I know I'm in the right room because Flicker and my scents wrap around me.

I slam the door and fumble with the lock for a second. I don't want Flicker following me in here. A moment after I hear the click, a loud thump comes from the other side.

"Indigo! What's wrong? Why'd you lock the door?"

I ignore her; she knows exactly what's wrong. I navigate my way through the room until I feel my bedspread underneath my fingers. I climb up and flop down, burying my face in my pillow.

Growing up in literal darkness, I've had countless bad days. But this was by far my worst.

I didn't mean to fall asleep, but I guess I did because when I wake, the house is quiet. I can tell Flicker found a way to open the door though, because there's a draft of air from the hallway flowing through it.

I sigh and swallow hard, knowing this is the best time to put my earlier plan to action.

I slide off the bed and make my way to the door, shutting it softly and turning the lock. I decide not to bring anything besides the clothes on my back. I'd need Flicker to help me pack and then I'd have to bring her with. And I've already decided leaving her is better for both of us.

I walk to the window, hoping no one is outside in the yard. But based on the time of year, I doubt even the pups will be running around.

I slide open the glass and let the breeze wash over me for a few moments as I think this through. I'm only on the second story, so the fall won't be too bad. What's at the bottom could change that, though and I have no idea what's going to be my landing. I take a deep breath. I have to do this. I remind myself.

I grip the windowsill tightly and swing my legs out before lowering myself to where my arms are locked out straight. And then I drop.

The impact hurt, sending some sort of shock wave all the way from my shins to my head, and making my teeth rattle. With nothing broken, I make sure not to waste too much time.

I do take a moment, however, and face the window I'd fallen from. "Goodbye, Flicker." I whisper. A pang echoes in my heart from leaving her behind, but I need a new life. And for that to happen, I need to let go of every piece of this life. I'll survive. I know I will. A whether of how is questionable, but I'm determined, and that would have to be enough.