Unbind me

chapter 14

I tighten my grip on my sleeve, fingers digging into the fabric.

The couch beneath me feels too solid, the room too small. I feel exposed. I've spent too long in the shadows, too long in a world where no one sees me. But now they do. Adam, Juliette, Kenji. Their eyes flicker toward me when they think I'm not looking, and I don't know what they see.

What am I to them?

A mystery? A problem? A burden?

Juliette's voice spikes for a second before falling back into hushed tones. I catch Kenji's laughter, low and teasing, before Adam cuts him off again. I don't know what they're talking about anymore. I don't care.

I let my hair fall forward, a silver curtain shielding me from their world.

I focus on my breathing.

In. Out.

I pretend I don't exist.

· · ────── · ❈ · ────── · ·

The sharp beep cuts through the haze in my mind, pulling me back to the present. The door unlatches with a soft click, and a gust of cold air rushes in as it swings open.

I don't move.

Kenji and Juliette stop talking. Adam stiffens.

And then—

"Adam?"

A boy steps inside, kicking the door shut behind him. He looks about ten, maybe eleven, bundled in a too-big jacket with sleeves swallowing his hands. His hair is a mess, his cheeks pink from the cold. He blinks at all of us, confusion flickering across his face before his eyes land on Adam.

Adam exhales, some of the tension in his shoulders easing. "James."

The boy frowns. "Why is he bleeding all over our couch?"

Kenji groans from his spot, still pressing an ice pack to his face. "Why is that your first question?"

James ignores him. His gaze shifts again, scanning the room, and suddenly, his eyes lock onto me.

I go rigid.

He stares, tilting his head slightly.

"Who are you?" he asks, no fear in his voice, just simple curiosity.

I open my mouth. Close it.

I don't know what to say.

James blinks, waiting.

"She's a friend," Kenji jumps in before I have to answer. "Sort of."

James looks unconvinced. His eyes flick between me and Adam, then back to Kenji. "You're bringing home strays now?"

Kenji clutches his chest in mock offense. "Damn, kid. You wound me."

James just rolls his eyes and shrugs off his jacket. "Well, whatever. I'm starving." He starts toward the kitchen. "And if you bleed on my side of the couch, I'm kicking you."

Kenji grins. "Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try."

I sit there, silent.

Watching.

· · ────── · ❈ · ────── · ·

Adam exhales slowly, pressing his fingers to his temples. "James, I'm happy you're taking this so well—I am—but this isn't a game. We are running for our lives."

"But we're doing it together," James insists, grinning like this is some kind of adventure. "And I can help!"

Adam shakes his head. "No, it's not—"