Chương 3: 003

Karma… I doubted I could, even if I wanted to. Silence clung to the room after her voice faded, thickening the air until it felt like someone had thrown a weighted blanket over my shoulders. Go to that officer. Bring the book- My throat tightened. Slowly, I peered through the crack in the door toward the desk. Mom would kill me if she caught me out of my room… And touching her things? By the time she finished with me… A chill trickled down my spine. Fear lodged in my chest like a block of frozen stone. I couldn't.

I just couldn't. But what about Sarah and the others? They're in danger. You put them in danger. My breath stilled as the truth settled over me like cold ash. They never would've been here if they hadn't wanted to be my friends. They could've been home. Safe. Laughing with their parents. Not crying. Not begging to go home. Not… whatever happened to them. It was my fault they weren't safe. And no matter what it cost, I had to fix it.

Swallowing hard, I raised a trembling hand to the handle and eased the door open, careful not to let it creak. The hallway yawned wide and endless, shadows stretching long across the walls as I forced one foot in front of the other. If she came back now, there'd be no hiding. The front door waited straight ahead. I tore my gaze away from it and focused on the desk. Be quick. Grab the book. Hide in my room until she goes back to her office, then run. And pray.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears as the desk loomed closer. I slipped open the drawers, fingers fumbling until they brushed worn leather. I pulled the journal free and hugged it to my chest. Good. Now all I had to do was sneak back and— The front door groaned open. My heart dropped into my stomach. Mom's footsteps marched down the hall, stopping outside my room. A single, taut beat of silence, then:"Nikolas De Santos, you little shit!" But instead of heading toward the office, she veered toward the kitchen.

Relief slammed through me so hard my knees nearly gave out. She thought I'd gone for food. I could still escape. Clutching the book tighter, I waited for the cupboard doors to bang open, for her voice to tear through the apartment.

"When I find you, I'll—" I didn't wait to hear the rest. I ran. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. I tore out the front door, lungs burning, refusing to look back even as her screams sharpened behind me, her footsteps pounding closer.

"You little shit! You think you can get away from this?" I scanned the street wildly, searching for the nice police officer. He always passed by around this time. But the street was empty, just a scrap of trash skittering along the pavement. Please. Please don't let this be the one day he's not working. Then, like someone had heard me, a familiar head of dark hair rounded the corner. His smile lifted when he saw me. Then it collapsed. His gaze snapped past me, warmth freezing into something sharp and focused.

I skidded to a stop in front of him, gasping, shoving the journal up with both hands.

"Please," I sobbed.

"Please save my friends!" He nodded once, eyes never leaving the shrieking figure behind me."'Course, little buddy. I've got you." His voice stayed calm. Solid.

"But first, you're coming with me. We'll get you warm. And that bruise looks nasty, I'll patch you up while you tell me everything." Only then did the cold hit. Concrete bit into my bare feet. Wind sliced my cheeks raw.

"Officer?" Mom's voice slithered through the ringing in my ears.

"I'm so sorry for my son bothering you. I told him he was grounded, and he thought it'd be a good idea to run away. If you could just hand him over…" The man shifted, placing me behind him. His voice turned to iron.

"Ma'am, I'm going to need you to come with me to the station. Now." Stillness fell, like the moment before lightning struck. Then she snapped.

"I don't have to do shit. Not for you, pig!" Her footsteps retreated fast. The officer reached for something on his belt.

"Tommy? Need you at 206 South Main. Run-down apartments. Got a runner. Possible child abuse, maybe more. Thanks." He clipped the radio away and knelt to my height. The steel in his blue eyes softened into something warm. Steady.

"Alright," he said gently.

"Looks like we've got a big day ahead of us. My partner'll handle her. For now, let's get you to the station. Want me to carry you?" I glanced down at my toes, the faint blue creeping into them, and nodded quickly.

"Yes, please." He scooped me up without effort, wrapping his jacket around me and tucking the journal safely between us. Its weight pressed against my chest, a reminder of what I'd done. If Mom ever saw me again, she'd give me the beating of all beatings. But… Sarah and the others could be saved. They could go home. I'd never really had a home. Not a real one. Not like theirs, with parents whose smiles reached their eyes. No matter what happened, this was worth it. For them. I did it, Karma.

She didn't respond, but I hadn't expected her to. Maybe, if I was lucky, she'd come back someday, just like she promised. It would be nice. Having a friend. Even if she was only in my head.