Page 236 of The Monster and the Masochist

A reminder of where I’d been.

A symbol of how far I’d come.

I’d escaped that cage in the basement at thirteen years old, but I realized at that moment, I’d never really been free.

As I drove through the quiet streets of Silent Hollow, I mourned the loss of the pieces of myself I’d relied on for so long to keep me safe… But I celebrated too.

I celebrated the new parts of me I’d found through my relationship with Theo.

The softer parts.

The parts that felt like home.

‘Goodbye,’ I whispered. ‘Thank you for protecting me.’

Though it was clear my monster could no longer hear me, I knew it would have been proud.

Because I’d finally let go of the things that no longer served me.

I let go of my anger.

My rage.

My fury.

And it was so worth it. Because without the burning weight of my hatred consuming my every waking thought, there was now more room for something beautiful to grow.

Now there was room for love.

There was room for her.

And now that I had her, I knew I would never let her go.

It wasn’t my monster that smiled at the reverend as he finally came to.

No.

It was me.

All me.

I gripped the hilt of one of my switch blades as the man who had raped my wife sputtered back to life in my brother’s arms.

Why was my brother holding the man?

Well, because he’d been unconscious, and if Cal hadn’t held up all the dead weight, the reverend would have hung himself before any of the fun could begin.

As it was, Callum promptly released the man as soon as he took his first rasping breath.

He stumbled, confused, and I grinned as he struggled to regain his footing as the noose tightened around his throat.

He struggled and failed because he wasn’t used to standing in heels.

Or that’s what I assumed, at least.

So I couldn’t help but laugh as my brother was forced to catch him and help him find his footing in the large, shiny red heels we’d crammed onto his feet before hanging him from the hook that normally held Theo’s gym bag.

Once Callum was sure the man could stand on his own two feet, he left him and came to stand next to me so we could watch him as he slowly came to terms with the reality of his situation.