It Will Come Back

“So, I’m just supposed to be at your beck and call all the time, Yas?” I complained into the phone, my breath hitching as I hurried down the dimly lit street. The air was cool against my skin, my feet crunching against the stray leaves scattered on the sidewalk. “Yes! Well, no. But this is critical, okay? I’ve cooked you and Ravi an amazing dinner—for after you take my headshots!” Yasmin’s voice was a mix of pleading and bossy, the way it always was when she wanted something. I rolled my eyes so hard I was sure she’d hear it through the phone. “Oh, you mean the dinner you made for Ravi and me? The same Ravi who’s spending the night with James? So really, Yas, it’s a dinner for one, and once again, I’m eating alone.” She let out an exasperated groan. “It’s not about the food! I mean, you get free food out of this, but it’s about the headshots. Do you know how expensive professional ones are?” “Maybe I’d feel more inclined to help if you gave me a ride home once in a while,” I shot back. “Instead, I’m stuck walking halfway across town because, apparently, cardio is good for the heart.” “Exactly! Look at you, so responsible and healthy,” she quipped, ignoring my irritation. I sighed deeply, shifting my bag on my shoulder as I turned onto a quieter street. The shadows stretched longer here, the streetlights faint and flickering. “Fine, I’m hurrying. But if I get mugged or worse, it’s on you.” “You’ll be fine. And hey, maybe you’ll meet a nice mugger who falls madly in love with you.” I snorted. “You’re ridiculous.” “See you soon, Lux! And remember, these headshots could launch my career!” “Yeah, yeah. Bye, Yas.” I ended the call, shaking my head. Yasmin and her never-ending quests for perfection. Ravi and Yasmin were my step-siblings. Ravi was the calm, thoughtful one, currently in a serious relationship with James. Yasmin? She was… Yasmin—chaotic, bossy, and always in the middle of some new “critical” project. The street grew quieter as I walked, the faint hum of traffic in the distance. I shoved my earbuds in, letting the music drown out the eerie stillness. Despite my attempt to relax, my steps quickened as I passed through the park. It wasn’t the safest area at night, but it was the fastest route home. Joe—my stepdad-turned-adoptive father—always warned me about taking shortcuts. He’d been my rock since my mom passed away two years ago. Losing her had torn something vital from my life, and Joe had done his best to fill the void. We had an unspoken agreement: I stayed out of his way, and he stayed out of mine. As I approached the final stretch—a narrow alley that cut across to my street—I hesitated. The alley was dark, the shadows deeper than I remembered. My breath hitched when I heard it: muffled voices, a scuffle, and then a gunshot. The sound echoed, sharp and final. My body reacted before my mind could process it—I dropped to the ground, heart pounding in my chest. Flashes of memory hit me The Long Walk Home (continued) I squeezed my eyes shut, clutching the cool pavement beneath me as memories flooded back. “Lux, you’re a demon. A crazy, weird f*****g demon!” Kiron’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp and cruel. “Shut up!” I had hissed, my voice trembling with anger, trying to steady myself against his verbal onslaught. He loomed over me, his presence suffocating. “No, look at you! Filthy b***h. No wonder Mom died—she couldn’t handle the stress you bring!” “Shut up!” My voice rose, louder this time, the words cutting through the air like a blade. He grabbed his ears, wincing as if my words physically hurt him. His mockery twisted into something darker, more hateful. “You’re crazy, destined to end up alone—just like we found you!” My chest tightened, the words striking something deep and fragile within me. Found me? No. I wasn’t found… I had a family. Didn’t I? His voice dropped, venom dripping from every syllable. “Did Mom ever tell you about how she adopted you? We found you on the doorstep like the unwanted brat you are. No wonder Dad left!” “SHUT UP!” I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat, raw and primal. The room seemed to tremble with the force of it. Glass shattered, light bulbs popped, and Kiron staggered back, staring at me in horror. “Your… your eyes,” he whispered, his voice trembling. But before I could process his words, he grabbed the family gun. The cold glint of the barrel was the last thing I saw before— I snapped back to the present, gasping for air as I pressed myself against the alley wall. The memory left me shaken, but the sound of a faint groan pulled me back to reality. The voices from before were gone, and the alley was eerily quiet save for the sound of labored breathing. Slowly, cautiously, I edged toward the source of the noise. A figure lay crumpled on the ground, half-hidden in the shadows. My eyes adjusted to the darkness, and I saw him—a man, his white shirt stained crimson with blood. He was lying on his side, one arm wrapped protectively around his abdomen, the other clawing weakly at the ground. “Hello?” I whispered, my voice barely audible as I crouched beside him. He didn’t respond, just let out a low groan. His face was half-turned toward me, and I caught a glimpse of sharp, ethereal features. His skin, tanned and smooth, was marred by bruises and cuts, and his golden-orange hair stuck to his forehead, slick with blood. I hesitated, heart pounding as I reached out to shake his shoulder lightly. His eyes fluttered open—pale blue, icy, and piercing. “Help me,” he rasped, his voice weak but desperate. I stumbled back, falling onto the cold pavement as he grabbed my hand. My heart raced as I looked down at his bloodied fingers clutching mine. “I—uh—I should call an ambulance,” I stammered, fumbling for my phone. “No,” he muttered, shaking his head with a wince. “Don’t.” “You’ve been shot!” I said, panic rising in my voice. “You need a hospital!” His hand tightened around mine, his grip surprisingly strong despite his injuries. “No hospital,” he insisted, his voice strained. I froze, conflicted. Every instinct screamed at me to run, to call for help, to leave this stranger behind. But something about him—something in those eyes—rooted me to the spot. “Do you live close?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. I hesitated before nodding. “Yes, but I don’t—” “Take me there,” he cut me off, his tone firm despite his obvious pain. “Please. I’ll explain everything. You’ll be… rewarded for your kindness.” “Rewarded? What’s to say you won’t kill me the first chance you get?” I crossed my arms, feigning confidence I didn’t feel. “This was the first chance,” he hissed through gritted teeth, his glacier-blue eyes narrowing. “And I didn’t take it. Are you planning to help me or leave me here to die?” I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. I could still feel the lingering fear from the gunshot, the suffocating darkness of the alley, but something inside me wouldn’t let me walk away. “Okay,” I finally said, the word slipping out before I could stop it. His shoulders sagged with relief as he leaned on me for support. I felt his weight immediately—a solid, heavy presence that made my knees wobble. “Let’s go,” I said, my voice firmer this time. Together, we stumbled out of the alley, his arm draped over my shoulders as I guided him toward home. My mind raced with questions, but I pushed them aside. For now, survival was the only thing that mattered. As we reached the edge of the park, I glanced at him again, a sinking feeling settling in my chest. I didn’t know who he was or why he was here, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something much, much bigger.