Pry Open My Ribs (My Heart is Yours)

The blood on my hands was warm, sticky, too familiar. But I didn't flinch. Not when his eyes were on me. Heterochromatic, piercing, taking me apart piece by piece, reading every twitch of my fingers, every shallow breath.

Ari tilted his head, stepping closer. His presence was a weight, heavy, and unavoidable. "Bailey's shaking," he murmured, voice gentle, almost fond. His hand ghosted over mine, smearing red against my skin like an artist blending paint. "It feels strange at first. But Bailey will understand. Bailey will see what I see."

My stomach twisted. The body at my feet should've made me sick. Should've. But all I could feel was the warmth of Ari's touch.

"I don't know if I can keep doing this," I whispered.

Ari smiled-soft, reassuring. Loving. "But Bailey will."

His fingers curled around mine, firm, steadying. Holding me in place.

"Bailey's strong. Stronger than he thinks. I knew it the first time I saw him." His voice dipped, soft and syrupy, spilling into my ear. "I'll never let Bailey go."

A pause. A promise.

His lips barely brushed my temple, warm, suffocating. "And someday, Bailey will thank me for it."

And the worst part was-
I wasn't sure I wouldn't.