He tried to fight back, but the rage blinded me… fueled me.
Every punch, every strike was driven by everything I’d been holding in since this morning… since that miserable moment.
“You…”
Another punch–this time to his jaw.
“You messed with my head…”
A sideways kick.
“With what I had with him!”
Viper hit the floor, coughing blood, crawling like the worm he was.
“You think you can provoke people and walk away like nothing happened? You think you’ll keep walking -around here like you’re untouchable?”
I crouched beside him, his blood pooling on the white tiles beneath his swollen face.
“Try messing with us again…” I said, voice low and hoarse, thick with barely restrained rage. “And I swear next time… you won’t walk away.”
With one final burst of anger, I grabbed a handful of his hair and slammed his head against the floor.
The dull crack was followed by silence.
Viper’s body went limp right there, unconscious, swallowed by his own weakness.
I stood slowly, my lungs heaving, muscles still tight.
I inhaled deeply.
And… for some reason… I felt… lighter.
Things weren’t okay–far from it—but that rush of fury seemed to lift a bit of the suffocating weight I’d been dragging all day.
Then… a sound pulled me from the haze.
Applause.
I whipped around toward the doorway, heart still racing.
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Chapter 108
Fox stood there, leaning against the frame, arms crossed and wearing a huge grin.
“Damn, that was amazing!” he said, excited. “One hell of a fucking fight! I loved it!“.
He burst out laughing like it was the best thing he’d seen in ages.
And despite everything… I couldn’t help it.
A short, almost involuntary laugh escaped me.
For the first time… I felt a sliver of relief.
A tiny piece of myself… coming back..
And that tiny piece… already felt like so much.
Fox was still laughing as he approached, eyes gleaming with the kind of mischief only he could pull off even in moments like this.
“Seriously, Elijah… You were incredible. You wrecked that bastard.”
I gave a tired, lopsided smile, still feeling adrenaline lingering in my veins.
“He deserved it.”
“Damn right he did.” Fox agreed, patting my shoulder. “Come on, let’s get out of here. Before that trash wakes up and starts whining.”
I nodded silently.
My body still hurt, muscles sore from the fight, but walking alongside Fox calmed me.
Like… for a few moments… I didn’t have to carry it all alone.
We strolled through the corridors unhurriedly, crossing the main hall until we reached the door leading to the yard.
It was nighttime, but not completely dark.
The high moon lit most of the space, and the cool breeze helped ease the heat still burning under my skin.
We sat in a far corner, on a rusty bench no one ever used.
The distant noise from the other inmates felt muted here, like the world had paused just for a little while.
I stayed quiet, eyes lost in the sky. My breathing slowly settled.
Fox watched me from the side, silent.
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Chapter 108
Wailing.
“…” I started, my voice weak. I cleared my throat. “I’m scared, Fox.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Scared of what? The Reaper killing you? “Because honestly, I think you’re past that point.”
1 let out a short, humorless laugh.
“I’m scared of trying to go near him… and him not wanting me.”
He stayed silent for a few seconds.
His gaze didn’t falter, like he was reading every inch of my hesitation.
“Do you really think he doesn’t want you anymore?”
“After what I did?” I clenched my fists over my knees. “After doubting him, after throwing everything away because of two assholes… I don’t even know what he feels anymore.”
“Elijah…” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “The Reaper’s a bastard, yeah… But when it comes to you… he’s never hidden shit.”
I shook my head.
“But what if it’s too late?”
“It’s not.” He answered firmly. “He’s wrecked over this. And so are you. You guys just need to talk.”
I looked at Fox.
“And if he pushes me away?”
“Then pull him back… and shut him up with a kiss.”
A low laugh escaped me, surprised it even happened.
1
“I’m serious, Elijah. Sometimes, he needs reminding that he screws up too. That he can forgive. That he feels.”
The silence stretched for a few beats. The cold wind brushed past, and I found myself staring at the moon… like it might give me some kind of answer.
“I hurt him.”
“And he’s hurt you too.”
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Chapter 108
I closed my eyes for a moment.
“And if I can’t fix it?”
“Then you keep trying… until you do.” He said firmly. “But don’t give up on him. Stay with him, Elijah. Stay till the end. You two together… you’re intense, chaotic as hell… but you’re perfect. Really. One badass couple.”
I opened my eyes, looking at Fox, grateful he was here.
He gave me a softer smile.
“Now… before you start crying again and ruin my therapist moment… want to head to the infirmary and get those knuckles cleaned up?”
“You mean… my masterpiece?” I teased, giving a half–smile.
“Exactly.” He laughed. “Can’t let that beautiful punching hand get infected, right?”
We stood up slowly, and for the first time in hours… I felt something that wasn’t despair.
It was small.
Almost imperceptible.
But it was there.
Hope.
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