Origami War by Toni J. Spencer

Author:Toni J. Spencer [Spencer, Toni J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQIA+, YA, lesbian, pansexual, alternate universe, dystopian, dark, coming-of-age, hurt/comfort, sleepwalk-ing, angst, family drama, graphic violence, martial law
Publisher: NineStar Press
Published: 2022-06-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

PENNY SOBBED HUGE tears from the depths of her soul. She hadn’t realized how much she’d come to rely on Rita, how she saw her as the mother she’d never had. Rita had been by her side since the day of her mother’s funeral, and Penny had taken every day since then for granted. It frightened her to lose her one ally, despite their differences, and it hurt her to think Rita could so easily throw her away as if she hadn’t mattered at all. What had she done? Could she turn back time? Could she apologize? Could she beg to have Rita back in her life? Could she at least beg her not to hate her? Who would save her now?

Benny handed her a damp towel, greasy and probably dirty, but she was grateful for it as she wiped it across her forehead. It cooled and soothed as the dry blood peeled off her skin. The peacemaker blood from two days ago. She took the cloth from Benny’s hands and stared at the rust-colored stains that streaked it.

“Thanks, Ben,” said Penny. “I needed that.”

Benny smiled and dropped to his knees in front of her, attempting to undo her shoelaces. Penny watched as he drunkenly puzzled over the complications of such a task, and despite being completely useless, his presence was a comfort.

“We’re a broken lot, huh?” said Penny.

“We just need a bit of oil.”

“No more oil for me. I gotta get my head clear. I can’t be wandering the streets in a daze anymore. It’s going to get me killed.”

Benny buried his head in his hands and started crying.

“Don’t cry. Please, Benny, I don’t need this shit.”

Penny had nothing left in the tank. Couldn’t these people see she was broken? Why did she have to pick up the pieces of everyone else’s lives when her own was falling apart?

Benny nodded, wiped away his tears, then got to his feet and left the room, swaying from wall to wall as he did so.

Penny flicked off her shoes without bothering to untie the laces that were now a knotted mess. She shuffled into her bed and pulled her blanket right up under her chin.

Benny arrived back in her room with a large pot and a glass of water. He placed one on the floor and the other atop the bedside drawers. “Just in case,” he said.

“Listen,” said Penny. “There’s a piece of twine in my pants pocket. Can you grab it and give it to me?”

Benny obeyed and helped her as she placed her wrist against the bed frame before twisting the twine around and around. Penny realized, as she twirled the thread around her arm, how reckless she had allowed herself to become. She could have easily tied herself fast, any night, every night.

“Can you do a knot?” she asked.

Benny shook his head.

“Come on. Please, Ben. I know you can do it? I don’t want to walk.”

She wanted to scream at him.

He cried as he did as he was told and tied the twine in two tight knots with her help.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.