Sympathy
Callum
The taillights of my car fade into the distance.
I stand outside alone, watching her drive away.
I need to make this right. I run my hand over my mouth and grab my jaw.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and call Harrison, but there’s no point.
The music is too loud. I know he’s inside, the last place I want to be, but I need to get to her.
I push the manor door open without resistance. Faded red strobe lights burn my squinting eyes. I search for Harrison and don’t see him.
He’s likely upstairs with the Highers.
I head toward the spiral staircase and run up, two stairs at a time. Once I get to the top, I stop, let out a deep breath, and straighten my jacket.
I can’t let them see me like this.
The music is muted upstairs. These walls have heard too much, these floors have seen too much, and somehow, they always ask for more.
I open the door to the lounge. The familiar scents of cigars and aged whiskey claw at my throat.
I spot Harrison, drinking alongside half of the other pledges and a few Highers.
“Harrison.” I make my way over to him.
“Callum.” He grabs my arm and smiles. “Where’s Scarlett?”
He can see the pain in my somber eyes. He doesn’t let go of my arm. Instead, he guides me to the other side of the room. “What’s wrong?”
I try to keep my composure while laughter fills the room—sharp and cruel. I need to get the hell out of here. I clear my throat.
“She left, can I uh–can I borrow your car?”
Harrison is my best friend. He’s the only person who has seen me break down.
He understands the pressure that we live with–from The Society, from our parents, and from ourselves.
He pisses me off more than most people, but I’d still go to war for him.
Blood or not, he’s the only one who’s ever come close. I trust him with my life.
“Vanessa is downstairs. Scarlett saw her.” A small weight lifts off my chest before it comes crashing down twice as hard.
“Callum, shit. Man, how can I–”
“Did you know?” I cut him off. My fists build.
I’m distracted by one laugh that catches my ear, and the scent of cheap cologne becomes overpowering. I look over my shoulder and see Chase. My teeth grind beneath my clenched jaw. Harrison follows my eyes, then he brings the conversation back to Scarlett.
“Of course, I didn’t know. You think I wouldn’t have warned you?” We hold eye contact. I can tell that he’s upset by my accusation—I’d be mad too.
“I know Harr, I just–fuck, I can’t lose her.” I look to the floor. I hate this feeling.
From his pant pocket, he pulls out a set keys and tosses them to me.
“You’re lucky I don’t like the valet driver tonight.”
“I owe you man,” I say, my voice is quiet.
He chuckles. “You don’t owe me shit.” His voice stiffens yet remains quiet. “Just don’t make it worse with Scarlett. Listen to her. She probably has a million questions, and the answers will be hard, for both of you.”
“I’ll call you later,” I say. He pats my back before I walk away and avoid everyone else in the room.
I hurry down the stairs, out of the house, and to Harrison’s Land Rover.
When I get in, I pull a cigarette out of my jacket pocket and search around his dash for a lighter.
I find a Zippo. My hands shake as I light the cigarette that rests on my lips.
I pull out my phone and check to see if Scarlett has called or texted me.
Just like I suspected, she hasn’t. I call her.
No answer. I don’t leave a message. She knows I’ll come to her. She knows I’ll fight for her—for us.
I pull up to her dad’s house and cut the engine. The porch light is on. Once I’m out of the car, I flick my cigarette onto the pavement, and a long exhale escapes me. I reach the porch and knock on the door. No answer. I knock again, heavier this time.
“Scarlett.” I’m about to turn the corner and head toward her window when the door opens.
“She doesn’t want to talk to you.” Her dad leans against the doorframe, his arms crossed.
“Jake, Mr. Voss, I just need to clarify a few things with Scarlett–”
“She doesn’t want to talk, Callum. Go home.” He stands up straight now. He’s taller than I expected.
“I just need her to know that I was trying to protect her. I never would’ve put her in that situation if I knew she was going to be there.” I try to keep my composure. Jake’s face drops, his body stiffens, and his jaw locks in place. He takes a step toward me.
“What situation? If who wasn’t there?”
Fuck. She didn’t tell him. How the hell do I tell my girlfriend’s dad that his ex-wife is a prostitute who is in deep with The Society? I bite the side of my cheek, but I remain in place. I know if I tell him, he will be there to comfort Scarlett.
“How much do you know about Vanessa’s involvement with The Society?”
He cocks his head with confusion. “What did you just say to me?”
“Vanessa was at the party we were at tonight. She was… working.” I don’t know how much he knows.
“She started a couple years back, stripping for some members of The Society. It has turned into more than that and now she’s in deep.
” He squints his eyes, and I give him a few seconds to process what I just said.
I don’t know if he’s aware of The Society or what we are in this town.
“And Scarlett saw her? What did she see?” He begins to pace along the front porch.
“She was dancing on a stage, naked.” I pause. “And then she ran out and I told her I was sorry and that I tried to stop her from finding out this way.”
He lunges at me, grabbing my jacket. “You knew?” He spits in my face.
“Yes, I knew. But I was trying to protect her. I didn’t know everything yet. I’ve been trying to find out so I could give her the proper information. What would you do if you knew, tell her?”
He lets go of me. I know he’s not a violent man—he’s just breaking. I sympathize with him, a true father figure. I’ve never felt protection from a parent.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do. I just wanted to keep her safe.
From The Society, from the secrets, from it all.
I don’t know how to fix this. I want to give her space, but I want to tell her–” I swallow the lump in my throat, unprepared for what I’m about to say.
“Tell her that I can’t live without her.
” I look to the ground, unable to meet his eyes.
“Is that love?” Slowly, I find the strength to lift my face and meet his.
“Wanting to keep someone safe? Wanting to bleed for them when they are hurt? I don’t know how to do this. I’ve never loved anyone.”
He looks at me with pity and an unfamiliar weight builds in my chest. “Yeah kid, that’s love.” He pauses. “But she is also my daughter. And I’ve been loving her since the day she was born.” His voice is steady yet firm.
He steps toward the door. “And she doesn’t want to talk.”
He reaches behind him. “So, it’s time you leave. Goodnight Callum.”
He shuts the door in my face.