Kylan Everest stood still, lips sealed together, as if the weight of words would shatter him. The silence around us wasn't the one of peace, sharp and raw, like the air before an heavy storm. Our breaths came hard and harder, almost smoky, like we were breathing in the flames ourselves.
He didn't speak a word. Even, he Couldn't. I'd never seen Kylan Everest like that eyes wide, jaw clenched, the fire's glow dancing in his pupils. His brand new car was up in flames, hissing and hissing like an angry snake.
He didn't even try to move. Just stared, frozen in that mad moment, as if every choice he thought he had burned away with the paint.
Kylan Everest was very furious. You could see it all over his body and reaction, his jaw tight, hands clenched, eyes locked on the flames like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was like watching someone try to hold in an earthquake.
Then he called my name "Susanna!" his voice raw and shaky, like it hurt just to say it. But he didn't move. He just stood there, too overwhelmed to do anything, like watching his car burn had knocked the fight right out of him.
"I'm too weak to stop this, Kylan Everest," Kylan said. The words tasted bitter. Deep down, I knew I'd made a cruel decision but I also knew I meant to do it. I did it willingly to punish him. Maybe, just maybe, he'd finally learn.
In a silence panic, Kylan Everest called the fireman department, but it was already late. The flames had already swallowed the car whole. By the time the fireman department arrived, there was nothing left but smoking metal and ash.
Kylan turned to me in a confusing voice, eyes blazing. He stormed toward me, close mouth to mouth as if he didn't know whether to scream or kiss me. But I didn't flinch. I stood my ground, steady and unshaken, like I had all the power now.
"What has gotten into you?" Kylan Everest shouted, his voice sharp and full of disbelief. "What came over you to make you go this far burning my car?" He stared at me like he didn't even recognize the person standing in front of him.
Ohhh I love this situation, Kylan Everest is about to cry.
He paced back and forth like a caged animal, anger boiling over. Then he stopped and pointed at the smoldering wreck. "What do you expect me to do now?" he barked. "What kind of punishment do you think this deserves?" His voice cracked, not from weakness, but from how close his fury was to breaking him.
I didn't say a word. I just stood there, frozen like a iced fish, completely still like my body had shut down. I didn't flinch, didn't blink. I felt numb, heavy, like something lifeless.
Kylan walked slowly around the remains of the car, his anger softening into something quieter grief, maybe. His fingers curled into his hair. His shoulders sagged. For the first time, I saw him not in control, not on top of everything. And strangely, that made me feel good. I shouldn't have felt that way, but I did.
Watching him ache over something I'd done… it filled me with a strange kind of satisfaction. It was the first time he felt what I've been carrying for so long.
Now, I think he is done with his madness in the compound, Kylan Everest walked slowly toward the living room door, his steps heavy, drained of all emotion. He didn't look back. He didn't need to. The silence between us said everything enough.
Without thinking, I followed but not into the living room. I slipped quietly into my room, shut the door quietly, and dropped onto the bed. My mind was a mess, thoughts tangled and loud. I stared at the ceiling, talking to myself without a sound being made.
What if he hurts me tonight? I asked myself.
The thought came sharp, sudden, and terrifying.
No one else lived here with us just the two of us. If something happened, there'd be no one to stop it, no one to even know.
I sat up instantly, restless. My body couldn't relax, and my heart kept picking up speed of scared. I knew Kylan was angry and furious but I didn't know what that anger might turn into. And that scared me more than I wanted to admit.
Eventually, I couldn't take it. I had to check on him to suspect his next move. I opened my door slowly, careful not to make a sound, and crept toward the living room like a shadow.
When I reached the hallway corner, I peered out gently.
There he was Kylan Everest slouched on the couch, drinking straight from a glass of dark juice. But it wasn't just ordinary juice. I knew that bottle since long time. It was loaded with 75% alcohol. He was drinking like he wanted to forget everything or feel nothing at all. A cigarette burned between his fingers, smoke curling in the dim light heavily.
He looked broken. And dangerous.
I was scared steel and sad,
"Did Kylan get himself drunk just to build up the nerve to hurt me"? I said silently to myself
The thought hit hard. My stomach tightened. I was in real trouble, breathing trouble and I knew it. I whispered a shaky prayer under my breath, the kind you only say when no one else can help you. I just wanted to survive the night, God this night.
I went back to my room and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling without blinking. I tried to steady my breathing, to slow my thoughts, but nothing worked. I felt exposed like every second that passed made the room smaller and the air thinner.
Eventually, I got up and walked to the bathroom. Maybe a cold shower could calm me down. Maybe the water could wash off this fear sitting on my skin away.
Steam rose around me as I sit under the shower, for some minutes letting the warmth roll down my back. For a brief moment, I forgot. I let my eyes close. But then I heard something.
Faint footsteps. Slow. Intentional.
My body froze. That had to be Kylan Everest. No one else lived here. The sound crept closer, each step growing louder against the tile floor.
Heart racing, I snapped out of the shower, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it tightly around myself. My hands trembled. I opened the bathroom door and stepped back into the room.
I forced myself to act normal. I lay back down on the bed, phone in hand, pretending to scroll through the news. But I couldn't focus on a single word. Every sound felt amplified. Every second dragged.
The door creaked open widely.
Kylan walked slowly like a reserved person, with phone in hand, not saying a word. He didn't look at me. He just moved toward the bed and lay down beside me, his body heavy with alcohol and tension.
I stared at the ceiling, eyes wide open. I didn't move. How could I? I was lying next to an angry, drunk man who had every reason to want revenge. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
He reached into his pocket with dull action, pulled out his master key, stood up gently from the bed, and locked the entrance door along with the bathroom door. He didn't ask. He just did it.
I felt trapped and speechless.
Then the room went dark. He turned off the lights, and went more darker leaving us in thick, suffocating silence.
Is this how it ends?
I lay still, breathing as quietly as I could. Every inch of me stayed alert like a hurting lion. Sleep wasn't an option, how could I? not now, maybe not ever again.
Suddenly, his phone lit up with a message. He grabbed it quickly, scrolling through whatever was on the screen. I stayed silent, pretending not to notice, afraid to make a sound.
I feel like disappearing from the room. But very Unfortunately, I'm powerless to do that.
Then, in a low, chilling voice, he spoke.
"Susanna… you've declared war. Hope you're ready for what comes next."
I didn't answer. I couldn't.
I just repeated the words in my head, again and again.
What comes next?