Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Poor girl.
I nod. “Well, I’ll get onto seeing what I can find out. Let me know if anything comes up in the meantime.”
God, I hope it does.
I want this to be over, mostly because I’m ready for my life to just move forward.
Also, I want to make the most of the chance I’ve been given to help investigate a case.
It’s my stepping stone.
The last thing I want is to trip on it and fall face first to the ground.
“COVA, HI, I DON’T KNOW if you know me, but my name is Zariah. I’m Waverly’s sister, I was wondering if I could come in?”
Cova, a gorgeous girl, stands in the doorway of Briella’s apartment. She looks like she’s just woken up, her hair is a mess and her eyes are dark. She isn’t living, not really. She’s breathing but she’s not moving forward. She’s not giving life her best shot. She’s stuck in a dark, dark place, and I really hate that for her.
“Briella isn’t here.”
“I know, I was wanting to talk to you.”
“Know nothing about Dax,” she mutters. “I’ve told Alarick that. I’ve told them all that. Nobody listens.”
“Actually, it isn’t about Dax.”
“Aren’t you a cop?” she asks me, narrowing her eyes.
“I am. But right now, I’m just a person, a person wanting to help another person.”
“That’s the fucking thing you’re all not getting. I don’t want help. I don’t want pity. I want to get the hell out of here. I wouldn’t care if I never saw any of you again.”
Her face is tight as she speaks, and oh, she’s got so much pain behind her eyes.
I know how that feels.
“I feel you,” I say. “I’m not here for pity, or to convince you to get help, or whatever it is you think. I’m just here because I wanted to talk to you. As a friend, if you will.”
This must shock her because she narrows her eyes in confusion. Has nobody just offered to be her friend? Has nobody just let her be who she is, without trying to fix her? I know Briella loves her sister, I know Cova is the only family she has left, but I also know that sometimes when you’re in a scary place, a place where Cova is firmly planted right now, you just want someone to understand, to accept, and not to try and change you.
“Did Briella send you?” she asks, her voice a little less hostile.
“No, nobody sent me. I came here because I wanted to. There is no ulterior motive, I’m not trying to trick you. I honestly have thought about you, and how you’re doing, and wanted to come by. I’m not here to try and fix you, Cova. Believe me, I know what it’s like to be so horrifically broken and for everybody to be swarming around you trying to put the broken pieces back together again, only for them to shatter the moment they all leave.”
She jerks a little, like my words hurt her.
I don’t want to hurt her, but I don’t want to understand her.
I want her to know that she’s not alone.
“If this is a trick ...”
“It’s not.” I shrug. “I’m not that kind of person, believe me. Can I come in?”
She steps aside, letting me walk into the messy apartment. I know Briella spends most of her time with Alarick, which is understandable considering Cova doesn’t want her around. It shows, because the place is a mess. There are pizza boxes strewn about everywhere, dishes on the sink, blankets and clothes on the sofa, and it’s stale in here. Desperately in need of a window to be cracked open.
I’m not here to judge her, though.
No.
“I don’t have coffee,” she tells me.
“That’s okay, I’m not much of a coffee person.”
She stops and turns, facing me. She looks like she has absolutely no idea what to say, so I go ahead and start the conversation.
“Have you seen the town center yet? It’s pretty nice.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t go out. I don’t like it out there.”
“Yeah, I feel you. If you even want to go out, I’m more than happy to hang out.”
“Why are you here, Zariah? Surely it’s not to make small talk.”
I hold her gaze. “No, it’s not. But it’s also not to push you to do something you don’t want to do. I guess I’m just here, to, well, be here.”
“I’m not great company.”
“That’s fine,” I say, flopping down onto the sofa covered in clothes and blankets. “Neither am I.”
It takes her a moment, but she sits down.
Then she flicks the television on, and we sit in silence.
It’s not much of a step, but lord, it’s a step.
6
ZARIAH
“Who were those men here the other day?” Reece asks, the moment I step through my front door.
I’ve been at work since six AM and I’m tired. I’ve been workin with Blanche and he’s more than made sure we’ve got our fair share of things to do. I’m working alongside him and another officer named Corey Shaper. He’s quiet and nice and he works well with us, so I’m glad he was the second choice on the case. Not one of the other arrogant assholes that will do nothing but drive me up the wall with their constant “you’re a girl and aren’t as good as us” comments.