Page 44 of Splintered Desire

Not to mention it makes me feel like a goddamn charity case, again.

Jace coming in through my window did one good thing, though. I throw on my backpack and head to the window, looking around before I duck out the window and pull it closed behind me.

Reed sent me a link for a window lock that automatically locks when closed, and I bought it on the spot. It arrived this morning and works like a charm, but that also means I’ll have to start going back through the back door.

At least for now.

It’s not terribly cold, thankfully, but I wish I’d worn more than just a sweater. I huddle up at the bus stop and say a silent thanks to the universe for the glass walls that stop the wind.

The bus should be here soon, but in the meantime, Reed’s sent me a link that I’m on the fence about clicking.

Reed confuses me on a good day, but today he’s really annoying me.

With a huff, I click the link and wait as my phone loads. My phone is pretty old, a hand-me-down from Dad a few years ago when I was going to ‘school,’ and he was working late, so I'd have a way to reach him in an emergency.

I’d never needed it, never had the balls to tell him when I needed help most. I was a lot younger—not that it would have saved me.

No, I relived those ‘tutor’ sessions a million times in my nightmares for years before I accepted that I didn’t do anything wrong. And as much as I might wish I could change things, I’ll never really know if something would have changed the outcome for better or for worse.

The damage is done now, but it was good for passing the time when I was bored, like now.

The video finally loads, and I scramble to turn the volume down, even though no one else is around, as the song blares.

It’s from a TikTok account I didn’t know was a thing, simply called ‘The Pit.’

Great marketing guys.

Rolling my eyes, I let it play back again and actually pay attention this time.

There aren’t any faces, but it’s clear what they're hyping: the co-ed fight.

Vixen vs. Tank.

Fuck.

I’d heard the guys talking about it when they brought me with them that first day, but I’d hoped it wouldn’t happen. Mostly because I wanted to live, and while I’d never been in The Pit with Tank, obviously, I knew well enough that one hit from him might very well kill me.

Tomorrow’s fight is the last before the big event next week; it also doesn’t count. I could totally throw it and still have to face Tank.

Which is only made worse because they put me against Widow. She’s great and sits right below me in terms of wins, with only two losses. She’s also twice my size and a heavy fucking hitter.

Fan-fucking-tastic…

One thing at a time.

If I can get out, maybe I’ll just disappear. Get a place and stop fighting. I have enough money to float for a few months, if not a whole year. I’d have to get a real job eventually, but it would be worth it.

To be free, my own person.

The bus pulls up, and I climb on, scanning my card and falling into my regular seat about halfway back. I’ve been riding buses since I was little. First, the school bus, and then the city bus when I got older and the schools didn’t offer transportation.

A lot of people think it’s dangerous, but you’ll find it sure beats walking alone at night, and it’s also warmer.

It doesn’t take long, about twenty minutes, before my stop comes up in a solid neighborhood.

Though it seems like trash compared to the gated communities and mansions I came from. But if you compared it to the shit holes on the street from my childhood, well, it's leagues above that.

I don’t need amazing; even this is a little more than I care for, but it’s close to school and safe.