The Numbers

“I won’t leave without you!” His knuckles stung as he spoke. “Come with me and I’ll keep you safe, Jenny.” Being an orphan, Jeff Cassel never had a home to call his own. His life seemed bleak until Jenny Stark. After his eighteenth birthday, he moved to the small town of Damper, TX and took a job as a mechanic. Dallas was busy and overwhelming to his curse, which he called, “The Numbers.” Jeff had an ability to see everyone’s lies as a glowing number that hovered above their heads. Countless times, he witnessed the number rise as they told lies to his face, yet they never lowered.

Jenny was different. She was the first person he’d ever met without a number and the first girl he’d fallen for. He didn’t know why she didn’t have a number or why she wanted him. He wasn’t the kindest to her when they had met. He wasn’t the best with people in general. He spoke his mind and often called people out on their lies, but Jenny was different.

“I can’t!” Jenny’s forehead furrowed. It didn’t fit her sweet face. “He needs me!” Her father’s number was a bright red flame and the highest Jeff had seen in a while, at 899,471. He must be cunning.

Jeff thought to himself.

“He is a drunk, Jen. He can’t even help himself.” He hated saying it, but he had to. Jenny’s pained expression didn’t change as she looked over at her father on the kitchen floor. He’d blown up the minute he found Jenny and Jeff together. Jeff’s left hook had stopped her father’s second blow and she was grateful, but her father needed her.

She looked back at Jeff with her baby blue eyes. “I can’t. What if he hurts himself, forgets to pay the electric bill, or burns the house down when he tries to cook for himself. It’ll be my fault.”

“What if he hits you again? What if he kills you?” He grabbed her face with his hands, gently rubbed her blonde hair away from the developing bruise of her right cheek. Her baby blues, the curve of her small nose, and the soft pink of her lips stirred him. “I can’t live knowing he will hurt you. I won’t let him.” I love you

. He wanted to say, but the groan from her father stopped him.

“You should go. My dad will kill you when he wakes.” Her voice was a shaky whisper as she tried to push Jeff to the back door. “Just give me a couple of days.” Jenny held his hands. It pained him as he turned and rushed out the door into the night.

He cursed himself the moment he stepped out. He wanted to save her and give her a life she deserved. He stopped, not far from her house and stood listening under the stars. He didn’t trust her father. It only took a moment after her screams that he turned and ran back into her house.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 03.10.2011

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