Blind & Broken

Chapter Nine

"Okay," Brynlee says suddenly. "I feel like I've done the talking and you've done nothing. What's your story?"

"Well," I point out coolly, "you didn't exactly share yours. You just said where you're going."

"Hmph!" She huffs. "You're right. Well, I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours. I can probably tell we're both here for a similar reason, but I'm guessing yours is a bit more sad than mine."

Woah. It's almost as if she's reading my mind. I shake the thought out of my head and try my best to face her, turning to the sound of her voice.

"You see, I'm blind," I start.

"Yeah, I can tell," Brynlee replies immediately. "It's pretty obvious. I mean, by looking at you, you seem pretty normal to me. But right now, your eyes are looking at a pole and not me."

Oops! I adjust my position a little and move my head more towards the center. "There you go!" she says and I give her a small smile. "Now, tell me the rest. We already got the obvious out. What's the real reason you're here?"

I sigh, "the thing is, I'm a runt. I can't shift until I meet my mate. My twin sister, Ivy, hasn't really been that much help to my situation. She practically acts like I'm invisible." I put my head down.

"Wow, she sounds fun," Brynlee said with annoyance. "I know what it's like to feel invisible. My parents kept a secret from me and my brother my whole life." She let out a sad sigh. "That's why I'm here: getting away from all the lies. Starting over with a pack who doesn't keep secrets from me."

I reach out for her hand. It hung out there in the air and I feel really awkward having my hand out like some idiot. But Brynlee takes my outstretched hand, her's soft in mine.

"Thanks," she says. "Anyway, less about me. We haven't finished your story yet."

"Oh, right." I hoped she would keep talking about herself so I wouldn't have to tell mine. "Well, I guess long story short, I found my mate."

"What!" She pulled her hand away sharply. "You found your mate and you ran away? Can we trade places, please? I haven't found mine at all!"

I lightly laugh, "I don't think trading places is a good idea. You see, he rejected me."

"Oh." And then silence. I assume she's regretting her desire to trade places.

"He's the Alpha of my pack," I say, breaking the silence. "He chose my sister over me."

"What!" I jump at her shriek. The train car quiets and I shift in my seat, feeling the stares of many people on us.

"Sorry," Brynlee apologizes. "But what? That's absolutely horrible! Who would do such a thing? No wonder you ran! Your mate rejects you and your sister treats you like crap. Not only that, you're blind and a runt!" She pauses before mumbling, "what a jerk."

"Yeah," I chuckle lightly. "My life pretty much sucks."

She reaches out and grabs my hand, placing her other hand over mine. "I promise I won't leave you like that. You've already been through enough, worse than I have! I'll do my best not to make it worse."

I smile brightly and squeeze her hands. "Really?"

I assume she nodded due to the spilt second of silence, "promise." I beam again, shaking my head. Tears have started to form in my eyes.