Hideaway

He slowly approached me, staring hard. “Love is pain, Nik,” he told me. “It’s never felt good.”

Say it,” he whispered.

“Say what?”

“That you only want me.”

Relax, my child. You’re in God’s hands now.”

He drags the snake’s body over my mouth, and I gasp, jerking away again.

If he wasn’t having it out with me now, he would eventually, and I wouldn’t see it coming.

Fear.

Anger.

Love.

Worry.

Sadness.

Betrayal.

Guilt.

Always for life.

“When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose.”

“And don’t forget your masks.”

“Why?” Will shot out.

“Because it’s Devil’s Night.” I pushed the button, the doors starting to close. “And I’m not getting caught this time.”

“I like you, too.”