The Red Thread by Bryan Ellis Read Free Book Online Page A

She’s a real rat.”
    I know she is trying to make me laugh, but not even a smile forms on my face. I slowly walk away and continue my trek through the bookshop. I quietly fix all the overturned books and place anything out of order back where they need to be. Pain begins to shoot through my arms. I’ve left many long, thin scratches, some having drawn blood.
    “Shit.”
    I roll my sleeves down, and I try to ignore the pain throughout the rest of the day. Jill and I are alone in closing down the shop that night, and she offers me a ride home, but I decline. I need the fresh air. Walking home, the cold air helps cool down my arms, and I try to forget about today, but I just can’t.
    Those stares. Those words. The laughter. It’s all too much. It could drive a person crazy.
    Crazier.
    I feel the tears slip down my cheeks, and I don’t even bother to wipe them away. I just let them fall. Who’s around to judge me now? I pull my hood over my head. I keep my eyes cast toward the sidewalks, letting the tears continue to roll down my cheeks.
    “Are you o-okay?”
    Shit.
    I look up to see Adam’s soft blue eyes. I nod, afraid to speak. If I open my mouth, my quiet tears may turn into loud sobs.
    “Are you s-s-s-sure?” His question is full of compassion, but I don’t notice an ounce of pity. That brings a bit of warmth to my body, but not like earlier today. Earlier, I was burning alive inside my own body, but now I’m warm and comfortable as if I am sitting beside the flames, not cooking within them.
    I nod once more. “Yeah,” I brave, saying it anyway. No sobs come. Some miracles do happen. I did say I wanted to see Adam today, but I really did not want to see him like this, with a tearstained face. Embarrassment charges through my body like lightning, and I am mostly sure my cheeks are the same shade as the red fire hydrant standing right next to me.
    His cheeks are a beautiful rosy pink, similar to his full, light pink lips. As my eyes dash toward his lips, a desire to grab him and kiss him overcomes me. The thoughts of his body next to mine, keeping each other warm, his lips on mine, are too much to handle. I feel my cheeks burn even brighter, like they are on fire. But my desire turns into fear, as I realize what that could lead to.
    “Don’t b-b-be embarrassed,” he states. “We all c-c-c-cry. I c-c-c-cry at s-s-s-s-sad movies. I even c-c-c-cry at children’s f-films s-s-s-s-sometimes.”
    He has a lopsided grin on his face, and I can’t help but let out a small laugh. At the sound of my laughter, his smile seems to grow the slightest bit wider.
    “Thank you, Adam.”
    He stands closer to me, and I can already feel the warmth of his body radiating off onto mine. Who needs a quilt when you have this?
    “D-d-d-do you want, want to t-t-talk about it?” he asks sympathetically. It’s his turn to face away from me, embarrassed. I wonder if he has to deal with assholes talking about him as well. He can’t hide his stutter, while I can at least try to hide my scars or my insanity. I mean, everyone in this damn town knows each other’s secrets, so I can’t escape them… but at least I can try. Adam can’t do that. His pain is out there for the entire world to see and destroy.
    He turns back toward me, and I find myself staring at his lips once again. He doesn’t say a word, and I realize he’s still waiting for me to answer his question.
    “It’s just been… a bad day, I guess,” I finally answer.
    I need to get a grip. He’s just a guy. He’s just an incredibly cute guy with a stutter that somehow makes him even cuter.
    “I’ll b-b-buy you c-c-c-coffee.”
    “No, Adam, it’s okay. You really don’t have to.”
    “I insist.” He has a giant goofy grin on his face, and how can I say no to that?
    “Okay, yeah. Make it tea, and you have a deal.”
    “T-t-tea it, it is,” he replies with a certain cheeriness to his tone.
    We walk in silence before he finally asks, “So w-w-where are we