Fragile

Chapter 25

I looked over at Seth, who was still looking up at the stars, barely visible with all the street lights. Could he be both a good and a bad person? To think someone who trafficked women had good qualities felt sinister. But looking at Seth leaning back on the bench beside me, I wondered if he was right. If it was possible for a monster and a good, gentle soul to coexist within the same body. But then, if he did truly have both, did that make him innocent? Would his good side somehow change things? 

Seth suddenly sighed and got to his feet. "You can take your time getting back, no need to force yourself," he said as I began to stand. I slowly sunk back down. "I have to do my rounds, but I'll tell Kiera you're out here." 

"Oh." I wasn't sure how I expected the night to go, but this definitely wasn't it. Did I fail the mission? Was it possible my weird philosophical question ruined the operation? 

He gave me a gentle smile. "Don't look so sad," he teased lightly. "For helping with the social, I'll make it up to you. So, keep your calendar open, okay?" He held out his pinky. "promise?" 

A hot wave of embarrassment flooded me and I looked away before locking pinkies with Seth. He always knew how to make me get flustered. He chuckled at my shy reaction, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. 

"You can always text me if you miss me," he whispered, and I suddenly became aware of just how close his body was to mine. "If anyone bothers you, I'll come running, so make sure to call if anything happens in the future, okay?" 

I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, and I found myself nodding slowly. My whole body was on high alert at the new proximity. Why was he so gentle? How could someone so awful be so kind? Why was it so hard to see the monster inside? Was it even there? 

"Goodnight, Fay." 

I stood, dazed as he pulled away and waved, jogging back inside. However, I was almost immediately startled back to reality once my phone buzzed. 

"Hello?" 

"He didn't take the bait." Noah's blunt voice muttered through the phone. He was bitter. 

My heart sank. "I'm sorry, I tried-" 

"I saw." 

"What?" I looked around for any sign of Noah, but found no one. 

"Just call Kiera. Tonight was a bust, and I don't like you standing alone at night." 

I felt my heart sank. Why was he being so cold? I knew I screwed up, but I wasn't experienced with this. I felt tears prick my eyes in shame. I let so many people down, those girls, the people helping us run the operation, Noah... 

I tried to muffle my sniffles. "I'll just go. Maybe she will have a better shot than me, the operation doesn't have to fail." 

"Fay-" 

"It doesn't have to be over," I cut him off. "it doesn't have to be ruined." 

"Fay-" 

"Just let her try," I insisted. "it doesn't have to be ruined. She can do it." 

"Fay, stop," Noah snapped. "It's done. Over. Seth knew we were watching, he's not an idiot. Tonight is done." 

My hands shook so aggressively that I could barely hold the phone to my ear. "Fine," I whispered, hanging up. 

My legs were trembling in my heels, so I absently took them off and began walking barefoot through the parking lot. Tears streaked my face and most likely left lines in my makeup. My lip quivered as I tried my damned hardest not to let out a weak sob. It was my fault. I failed the mission. I couldn't follow through, all because I couldn't see the monster in Seth Manson. It was my own weak mind and indecisiveness that ruined everything, and the worst part was, it was possible there would never be another chance.