Shattered Face, Unending Revenge

reath catching in his throat. I was terrified, but relief

ring at the watch on my wrist, a gift from my fiancé, Graha

snarled. She was his p

ther die on the grass, calling him a "bastard.

alpel in her hand, she whispered, "After I'm done,

destroyed my ability to ever have children, ensuring I cou

my brother, my face, my futu

iny scar by my eye. The man I loved vanished, replaced by something cold and merciless. He look

pte

tevenso

grin, and he thought chasing it was the greatest adventure in the world. I told him to be careful, the way I always did, the words a constant, loving hum b

he sc

I was on my feet before my mind even caught up, Graham's heavy, custom-engraved watch bumping against my w

ace already starting to puff up, turning a blotchy, alarming r

a spike of pure ice through my heart. Anaphylaxis. The doctor had warned us after

e screen as I dialed 911. The dispatcher's voice was a calm drone i

jumped out. A man I barely registered, and a woman. She was tall, with sharp features and blonde hair pulled back so tightly

er voice clipped and professi

air out of my face. "He's severely allergic.

alm." She started to open her medical bag, her movements efficient and sure. For a sing

asn't on Joel anymore. It w

om him on our one-year anniversary. His initials were engraved on t

tch to my face. The professional mask she wore cracked,

u that watch

tared at her. Joel was gasping for air beside her, his skin

, confused. "Please, my

ed, the words slow, delib

ce rising with panic. "Please, y

, and she stared at me, really stared at me, for the first time. The recogni

thed, and the name sounded

cked the medical bag shut. The sound

she snarled, her voic

ried, my mi

e, hard. I stumbled backwards, tripping over a root and la

houette against the bright sun. "Gr

ve college girlfriend Graham had mentioned once, the one who couldn't let g

bling to my knees, my voice

." She kicked me again, this time in the ribs, knock

e spat. Her eyes dropped to Joel, who was now terrifyingly still. "And what's this?

eryone said so. The same dark hair, the same s

uffled against the grass. "Please, Janna

ng a single drop of medicine on his ba

. "He's gone into cardiac arrest. Time

way up my throat. She was leaving hi

t. I had to call Graham. He had to stop this. The scre

red, the curse a

She turned around slowly, a cruel smile pl

he grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked my head back,

g to marry. We're getting married next spring." She thrust her left hand in my face. A simple,

ead, my mother's locket, tucked under my shirt, swun

mile vanished, replaced by a ma

ice dropping to a terrifying