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You think you can run away?

Kick.

You think you can battle the man?

Kick.

My father smirked. “We were going to have dinner at a little pizza shop across town. Dormi’s Pizza & Coffee. Megan loves the service there.” He glanced at me, still grinning. “Don’t you, hon?”

I wanted to rip each tooth out of his mouth with brutal delight. “Yeah. I do.”

“Pizza sounds fantastic.” Rune chuckled. “And I have eaten at Dormi’s before. Megan and I ate there the other day. Their food is amazing.”

“Let’s go then.” My father motioned to his train. “They’re closed now, but the new manager is a friend of mine. He’s keeping the doors open for us.”

“Wonderful,” I mumbled, trudging along beside Rune. “I can’t wait.”

This was not our first date. I would never count this catastrophe as anything other than a nightmare, one more to add to the list my father has given me. But I was onboard with Rune, my protector keeping me close to his side. I just hoped I wouldn’t have to rescue him if he fell down into my father’s long line of beaten foes.