Branded (Sinners, #1)

He smiles, showing a set of perfect white teeth. “Nice to meet you. I’ve known Cole for about seven years now. Don’t you worry about a thing,” he says to reassure me. He doesn’t know about the attack because we kept it a secret, but the way he scrutinizes my injuries tells me it makes him unhappy.

“Thank you. I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”

Cole grabs a protein bar and darts for the door while coaxing Zeus along with him. “Come on. You can’t stay here,” he pleads. Zeus follows him with his head down. “I’ll see you tonight.” Then Bruno, Cole, and Zeus leave with the slamming of the door.

Sigh. Alone again.

The day drags. I lie down, get up, and lie down again. I clean dishes, hand wash my dirty scrubs, and sweep the floor. As I sweep my old room, I trip over the bucket of chalk, scattering it in all directions. Seems like years ago that Cole gave it to me. My landscape remains unfinished and even though I’m sore, I decide to draw more.

I begin with blues and greens, adding mountains. Oranges and reds form a brilliant sunset. I finally finish the wall and only one remains blank now. Unsure of what to do, I start with yellow. The yellow becomes waves of blond hair, blue for eyes that are large with tears of happiness.

Alyssa.

Tears fall silently as I recreate her beautiful, young, determined, and brave face. I didn’t intend to draw her, but it happened. When I finish, my arms hurt from reaching so high.

I sit on the floor to rest and stare at my room. The memories play like music. First, the breeze blows over the bay with its clear, blue water surrounded by majestic mountains. Next, the forest rises up behind my childhood home, and finally, Alyssa’s face—my sister and friend.

A sharp knock resounds on the door, making me panic. Do I answer? What if it’s Bruno? What if he’s not as nice as he seems? Cole made it sound like Bruno and he were best friends, but my trust has already been shattered more than once, so convincing me of that is hard to do.

The knock sounds again, followed by Bruno’s voice. “Just me. May I bother you to use the restroom?”

I want to be relieved, yet my heart quickens at the thought of being alone with a guard other than Cole. Despite my reservations, I call out, “Of course you can.” This guy still petrifies me—he could crush me with his foot.

The door beeps after he swipes his card, and he hops up and down like a young boy in agony, waiting for the teacher to give him a hall pass.

“Sorry, all of a sudden, it just hit me.”

I nod my head. He’s lucky Cole trusts him or I’d make him wet himself in the hallway.

“Thank you.” He sprints to the bathroom in Cole’s room and closes the door.

After a few minutes, he returns, staring at my artwork. Sweat beads down his forehead from the heaviness of his dress uniform. His jaw drops in awe when his eyes rest on my latest drawing.

“Who’s the girl?”

My eyes glaze over, but I answer. “My friend, Alyssa. She passed away last week.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Your drawing does her justice though. She’d be honored.” He smiles with kindness.

I feel my shoulders relax and smile in return. He carries himself with confidence, yet he seems cautious in his movements, like he’s afraid to startle me.

“Wow, really? Thanks. I always doubt my work. Years ago a girl in my school commented about how bad I sucked, and words like that stick with you for a long time.”

“She was obviously just jealous because it’s amazing. Feels real—like it came from your heart.” He points to Alyssa. “She looks young,” he says. “Never easy when they’re young.”

I open my mouth to say something, but he turns toward the exit.

“Hey…”

He looks over his shoulder and pauses with his hand on the door.

“Do you know why Cole’s still guarding me?”

Still facing the door, he says, “Because he’s been ordered to.” He swipes his card and stands halfway in the hall. “If that’s all, I’m going to go now.”

“Sure. That’s it. Thanks.”

I turn around, disappointed, and hear the door click shut.

The minutes and hours tick by, but I can’t keep track. No clocks hang on the walls and Bruno doesn’t come inside again for me to ask. I find myself missing Cole and Zeus—missing the distraction of Cole singing something off-key in the shower when he doesn’t know I hear him or when Zeus drinks water out of the sink in Cole’s kitchen. It’s funny what you miss when you’re alone.

I don’t even want to think about lying down again, although I should. My bruises turn a yellowish color. I don’t look so bad, do I? Heading into Cole’s bathroom, I twirl my hair to style it a little, but the bruises on my face and the stitches on my lip make my eyes the only attractive part of me. Why do I care? Cole’s already seen me at my very worst, but I wish he could see me at my best. I have nothing though—no makeup, no clothes other than scrubs, and no jewelry. Thinking this way will only bring more trouble—for everyone. Maybe someday… Ahhh, there I go again!

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