King of Anything

06

Three Years Later...

I slay another man, ready to go home. I can't wait to go home to Scar. He told me he had a surprise for me.

I wonder what it is. As usual, I walk out of the hotel, down to the car waiting for me.

It's a silent drive home but mind is buzzing. Maybe he'll propose to me. Maybe...

I bite my lip, happiness coursing through me. My life has been blissful since Scar found me.

He saved me. Loved me. He's everything to me.

The ride home is shorter than usual, maybe it's just my excitement. I head up the stairs into the house. I open the door, noting the bags at the door.

Huh. What's that for?

Part of the surprise?

"Scar, I'm home!"

I start taking off the bloody clothes.

I hear him coming, making me look up with a smile. He looks at me silently.

"Is he dead?" Scar inquired silently.

I nod. "Of course. Have you had dinner? By the way, what are those bags?"

"Your belongings," He says quietly.

M-my belongings? "What?"

"You've served your purpose. It's time for you to go."

What is he saying? What is this? What's happening?

"Daxton Rie. The last of my opponents. He's dead now. You serve no further use to me."

"What the hell are you saying, Scar? If this is your surprise, it sucks."

He turns his back on me, ending the conversation.

"This can't be happening—" I say to myself. "I love you, Scar. Please don't tell me you're throwing me away."

He won't even look at me. Won't refute it. Don't tell me I'm this stupid. Why? Why would this be happening to me?

"Scar. That's enough. We both know you have no sense of humor. Come on, let's eat—"

"You leave tonight," He rumbles lowly.

I give up, pretending. That's what got me here. Of course. Of course, this is happening.

And how stupid of me to think it wouldn't.

"Three years. I meant nothing to you, did I? Just a tool. And now I've done what you wanted, and you're gonna throw me away?"

He looks at me over his shoulder. "Precisely."

It's like a shot to my heart.

"Scar, don't do this. I have been here for you, I killed for you. Why would you do this to me?! Are you even sorry? You just dragged me along?!"

My heart shatters. "Did you have fun?"

He doesn't acknowledge me. He doesn't acknowledge what he's done. Doesn't say anything.

"So you say what you need to say, and you do what you need to do, play who you need to play, and when you're done you cut them off, throw them away."

"Good-bye, Marueen. Take your things, take a car, and get out."

"Fine. Fine," I refuse to let a tear fall. This is exactly what I get.

"And Marueen? This time, don't take the first hand that's offered to you."

I laugh, pure bitterness.

"Good advice, Scar. Or should I say King Scar? No. You're not King of anything. You're just pathetic."

"No more than you," Is his whispered reply.

He's right about that. I don't bother with the bags, or the car. Why would I take anything from him?

I just stumble out of that house,

From under the hand that I thought loved me. Why did I think I that? Why do I do this to myself?

It's all my fault. He's right. I am pathetic. I deserve this. Ignorance like mines deserves punishment.

I'm here again, alone, on a long road with no end. I'm no of use to the man who I loved. He threw me away.

I was born garbage. People have to upcycle me, but I always come back to this. Blood on my hands, still garbage.

My chest hurts. My head feels like it's going to implode.

He used me. Of course he used me. Did I ever really think he loved me? No. Maybe not. Maybe I just loved him and hoped he'd let me?

I walk the road, feeling dead. I feel dead inside.

I put one foot in front of the other. Over and over, with nothing else but these solitary foot steps.

Good for him. I hope enjoys his crown. Whatever my heartache bought him, I hope he enjoys it.

I hope it's worth it. I'm not. Worth it, I guess. When will I learn? No one will love me.

It's warm out, as I walk. I can still see the house and the car if I turn back. I refuse to. I walk for hours, hours, as the sun comes up.

I look back. I can't see the house. I sink down to the ground and cry.

I cry for him. I thought—

Stop it. Just stop it!

Stop it...