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I pull her against ernails dig into o after a moment and just holdsyou pain doesn’t help ht one, the one with the Japanese dragon breathing fire on kanji

“It wasn’t supposed to It was just supposed to stop you fro yourself”

“It helps—”

“No it doesn’t It just pushes it away temporarily Just like the booze”

“But I need—”

“You need to let yourself feel Feel it, own it Then move on”

“You make it sound so easy” Bitterness drips fro a person can do” I slet out of her face and away fro It’s e drink and do drugs and fight It’s why I play ines”

She pulls away froh “Yeah Music is a hobby A passion I rebuild engines and restore classic cars That’s what pays the bills Don’t get , I’m passionate about cars too, but it’s different”

“Do you work for someone?”

“No, I own my own shop in Queens”

“Really?” She sounds surprised, which I actually find a little insulting, but don’t say anything

“Really”

“Can I see your shop?” Her voice is bright and hopeful

“Now?”

“Yes, now I can’t be here I keep seeing Dan I keep…I keep feeling his hands on ” She points to where he was laying She’s quiet for a longnext “Is he…is he dead?”

“No Don’t worry about hiot what he deserved”

“You hurt him really bad”

“I should have killed hiet it”

“I should have seen it co” The words don’t surprise lare down at her “Don’t you fking dare, Nell Hawthorne Don’t you dare put this on yourself You should never have to see shit like this co”

She backs away, stunned and afraid by the intensity I know is radiating off me

“Colton, I just ht there Granted, you should’ve never gotten involved with a douchetard hiainst e the subject

“A little You were…scary You just…you destroyed hilance down at her in shock “You hts The underground ones The ones that your friend was talking about In Harlehts?” I’m shocked Stunned Horrified Those are brutal, vile, vicious fights Angry, soullesseach other I should know

“Yeah I didn’t like it very much”

“I’d hope not They’re evil” I try to keep my voice neutral

Unsuccessfully, by the click of understanding I see cross her face “You’ve fought in them”