Page 71 of Remnants: Disruption
“I don’t want your pity. I don’t want whatever it is you came here for. I’ve been backed up into the fucking corner, and it turns out I’m not all powerful. It turns out I have a limit.”
Mary’s beautiful face falls. She actually does seem devastated.
“You’re a good actress, you know,” I huff, staring down at my coffee. “Almost had me convinced you were some beautiful Good Samaritan.”
She continues to stare at me, apparently lost for words.
“I tried getting angry. I tried being vengeful, but I just feel numb. I’m tired. So fucking tired.”
Mary leans forward and, before I can stop her, she wraps her hand around mine. Her touch is surprisingly gentle, warm even. “You did nothing to deserve this, Arya.”
I glare up at her. My frayed nerves can’t handle this shit. Like this is a conversation between two people. Like we’refriends.
“It’s not about what I did or didn’t do. It’s that I don’t want to be this anymore. I don’t want to be here anymore,” I spit out.
Mary’s jaw works wordlessly, but as I make to stand, my knee strikes the table, causing the drinks to clink dangerously.
Alice shoots me a concerned look, but I wave her off.
“Call it suicide by cop. I don’t care,” I sneer as Mary’s eyes widen further. “I’m done.”
I move through the shop and push through the back entrance into the alley outside. The cold air hits my skin and burns at the rage boiling in my chest. Rage that only barely hides fear and pain.
“It’s easier this way,” a voice hisses from the shadow of a dumpster.
“I know—” I turn in time to feel something strike my side.
The scent of something spiced hits my nose as I’m pinned to the wall opposite the shop.
“Get off,” I growl and unleash a bolt of shadow into Mary’s gut.
She doesn’t really react, but she drops her hold against my chest. Her dark bun has fallen from the hold, dark flyaways fall along her face.
“Why are you so ready to die?” she asks, her voice sounding desperate. Like she might actually care.
“Not all of us are mythical gods,” I yell, not caring who hears. “I can’t handle the voices, Mary. I just want to be normal.”
“There is nothing wrong with the way you are,” she says, voice softer. “You are so much more than you believe, Arya. I see it. Let me help you.”
“Help me?” I say, voice bubbling with laughter that feels more like mania than humor. “There’s no helping me. You can’t take the Affliction out of me.”
I snort, tilting my head.
“Actually, you could,” I say, turning a grin on her that feels out of control.
I take a step back, hoping to dive further into the alley and portal away before she can try and stop me again. Or whatever this is.
She could stop me if she wanted. We both know it.
“I’m tired, Mary,” I say, fight leaving me as I watch her step forward. “What the hell do you want from me?”
A laugh bubbles out as I gesture at her. Gorgeous and powerful. Someone to fear.
She runs a tongue along her lower lip, eyes studying me like I’m a wild animal.
“I want you to trust me,” she almost whispers. The admission seems physically painful. Like she’s not used to begging.
She steps closer, the space between us narrowing by the moment.
