Among the Echoes (Wrecked and Ruined #2.5)(9)

"Stop using your superpowers to read my mind."

"I just know you, Riley. No superpowers needed."

"I'm going to head to bed and read for a little while." I dry my eyes on the backs of my hands as I search the room for a distraction from reality.

"Smutty romance?" he asks as the smile returns to his voice.

"Is there any other kind?"

"Goodnight, Riley."

"Night."





"Adam!" I hear shrieked from the other side of my door.

I fly off the couch and onto my feet. I must have fallen asleep at some point. My head is groggy and my eyes struggle to adjust? but the sound of a woman’s scream permeates through the darkness.

"Please. Open the door. Please!" The frantic words send ice through my veins.

I rush to the door, but before it is even completely open, my neighbor squeezes past me.

"What the hell are you doing?" I ask roughly, still unable to truly grasp this sort of shocking wake-up call.

"Someone just broke into my apartment. I..." She fades off as she slides down the wall to the floor. It's only then that I notice the gun shaking in her hand.

"Jesus Christ." I walk over and reach for the gun.

She doesn't immediately release it. Instead, she tilts her head back, looking me directly in the eyes. Holy shit—her eyes. Gone is the plain brown. Now they are so blue that they are almost clear. They're mesmerizing, and it takes the sounds of her crying to snap me out of my trance.

Her lips begin to quiver. "Please tell me you won't hurt me." The combination of her words with the assumption that I would startles and disgusts me.

I squat down in front of her and gently pull the gun away. "I won't hurt you. Ever. You're safe with me." It's the only thing I can offer, and they seem to be the words she needed to hear.

She drops her head into her hands as loud sobs ravage her body. I can only stand and stare. She was odd when I met her earlier, but this is more than that. This is the remnants of a broken woman. Anyone could recognize that, but especially me.

"What happened?" I ask gently, inquiring about more than just tonight.

"The...um, window by my bed was broken. I don't know if they came in. I didn’t wait around. I just grabbed the gun and bolted," she tells the floor.

"Did you see anyone?"

"No."

I move to the door and glance around the breezeway. On the brick are a few sloppy graffiti tags that were definitely not there earlier. I’m sure it’s probably just a bunch of kids looking for trouble, so I close it back, locking both the deadbolt and the chain just in case.

"It was just some kids," I say, reassuringly. I crouch back down in front of her, and it pains me as she recoils. Not that I would ever dream of touching her, but I understand that reaction, and it kills me to witness it firsthand.

"How can you be sure?" she whimpers.

"I can't. This neighborhood may not be the nicest, but it is relatively safe. The spray paint leads me to believe it’s only some bored teenagers with slightly less than average artistic abilities." I try to make light of the situation, and for a split second, it works.

Her eyes lift to mine, and I can’t stop the gasp that escapes.

"What?" she whispers as concern once again crosses her face.

"No, nothing. It's just... Your eyes. They're amazing."

"Don't look at me." She covers her face with her hands.

"I'm sorry. It just surprised me. That's all. Earlier, they were brown, but now... Why do you cover them up?"

"I forgot my phone in the apartment." She changes the subject, ignoring my curiosity.

"You can use mine if you want." I offer her a smile, but it's not from kindness. The truth is I just want her to look back up so I can see her eyes again.

"I can't. I need mine." She finally lifts her gaze back to mine, and it's actually painful. Her eyes are beautiful, but this time, I see more than just the awe-inspiring color. I see the fear and innocence in the red rims. There is a dark shadow of false strength, but what really has me reaching forward to touch her is the hopelessness. My hand doesn't even get close before she quickly slides out of my reach.

"Hey. I'll go get it for you. You're safe." I repeat the one phrase that seemed to ease her earlier.

"Why are you being so nice?" She turns her head suspiciously.

"I don't have any reason not to be nice to you. Besides, you remind me of someone I used to know," I answer, and she immediately goes stiff. Her eyes begin to frantically travel over my body—scrutinizing my every inch while desperately searching for something. "My mom. You remind me of my mother," I finish, and she holds my eyes, giving only the slightest of nods.

"Why do you live here?" she asks, and I chuckle at her random question.

"Why do you live here?" I throw right back at her.

"Will you walk back over there with me?" She once again changes the topic.

"Yeah, of course."

I offer her a hand to stand, but not surprisingly, she doesn’t take it. She pushes to her feet on her own.

I head for the door with her tight on my heels. I suddenly turn, and she takes a quick step away. "You never told me your name," I question, and her eyes light before dimming completely.