Help With a Price Tag

Marcus kept saying it was only friendship while the screenshots told a much uglier story. What bothered me most was that he seemed surprised I would refuse revenge once the money doubled. He thought desperation had made me flexible. I wanted him to understand that I know exactly how cheap his offer is, and that letting him insult Tanya would mean letting him insult me too.

The business card scared me more. Someone heard about Destiny, bought a card that morning, and drove to the soccer field to offer support as though this were a spontaneous act of kindness. Generosity does not arrange itself that neatly. I keep wondering whether that woman wants to save Destiny or collect her.

Maya watched me during the call. I said only what I had to say, but her expression made the forty seconds feel exposed. She already knows enough to connect me with Destiny, and now she has seen me choose loyalty in front of her. That made me feel strangely proud, then trapped. I wanted her to trust me. I also wanted to shake her for forcing a choice I had been pretending was theoretical.

I will judge the unknown woman harshly before I understand her. Maybe that is unfair. Maybe it is also why Destiny has survived this long.

I pinned the card above my notebook overnight. That placement felt absurdly loyal to the threat. My hand kept smoothing the paper flat, as if I could stop someone from arriving with a kinder smile and worse intentions.