Chapter 4
Joshua wasn’t wrong. When I was just six, he took me in and raised me like family. We leaned on each other to survive.
My life felt like it belonged to him, so I never said no to anything he
wanted.
But that was all in the past.
Over these 16 years, I gave him more than just my life. I’ve already repaid my debt to him.
I’ll turn 22 in two days, and once that day is over, I’m leaving.
For the past couple of days, I stayed in my room and didn’t step out. Everyone seemed to be doing just fine.
On the night of my birthday, Joshua went out with Amelia and didn’t return until late.
That was the moment I knew that it was over
In the end, we went our separate ways. Once the sun rises, I’ll leave.
I had barely fallen asleep when my phone started ringing nonstop.
The ringtone was the one I set just for Joshua.
Out of habit, I answered, thinking maybe–just maybe—he remembered my birthday.
But his words hit me like a slap in my face.
“Priscilla, help me… please, help me…
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“I ran someone over. Please, go find the Shadow Dealbringer. Trade whatever you can, I don’t care what it is, just make this mess covered.
“My big movie’s about to release, and I can’t have anything go wrong. You don’t want me to be ruined, right?”
My chest tightened, and I could barely get the words out.
“But Joshua… I don’t have anything left I can trade…”
“Yes, you do!” He cut me off, sounding desperate.
“Didn’t you mention before that you were willing to give your life, so Amelia could have a child?
“But in the end, you only gave up your eyes, right?
“So you still have some lifespan left to trade!”
Even though I had already stopped hoping for anything from him, hearing him say that so boldly still hurt me deeply. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
“Priscilla…
“Please say something! Help me!”
I stayed quiet while he begged on the other end of the line, sounding more and more panicked.
Out of nowhere, a loud female voice broke through. “What did she say? Will she help or not?
“Get her to trade something right now! Doesn’t she still have her arms and legs? If she won’t trade her life, then let her trade those.
“Just make sure she helps us to bury this mess, no matter what!
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“I don’t want the video of us hooking up in the car going viral
tomorrow…”
Joshua snapped, “Enough!
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“If you hadn’t insisted on doing it outside, no one would’ve caught us on camera. And if you had listened and stayed, we wouldn’t have hit and killed someone!”
Amelia’s voice kept shouting through the speaker.
I couldn’t listen anymore.
ン
I ended the call and sat frozen on the edge of the bed.
The person who once saved me was now asking me to use my life to cover
his mess.
No way!
I won’t do it.
The phone buzzed again. It was still Joshua.
I declined the call, grabbed my suitcase, and stepped out of the house that had trapped me for five long years.
Goodbye, Joshua.
From now on, I don’t owe you anything.
“You’re really going to walk away like this and live a sad, hidden life
forever?”
A deep, captivating voice echoed out of the shadows.
“Who’s there?” I asked.
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The person didn’t reply directly, but questioned me instead, “Are you willing to come with me? Start over and live a different kind of life?”
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