Sins and Lies

Italy - Tuscany 2018

What a stupid idea to think it's better

feel pain to feel nothing.

We elevate feeling to such wrong levels that we prefer

set ourselves on fire to live with our emptiness.

Stone Circle.

I'm always running.

No matter the day, time or place, I will always run when my chest tightens to the point of almost tearing everything from the inside out. Running has always taken a weight off my shoulders, quieting my soul, but sex is better than running. That's why my body is naked like this, while I roll around in the lap of the man I found at the club a few hours ago.

"Yes!" Huh! He moans as he grips my waist. - Dio Mio!

He lifts his hands to touch my breasts which are bouncing in rhythm with the sway of my waist, but I push them away as I press my hips down onto his erect sex and my large sex tightens my private part which makes me let out a moan. excitement with every movement.

I intensify the rolls even more when I realize that I can come, I already feel the feeling of weakness coming within me, while I squeeze the chest with some of the man's hair and I end up reaching orgasm seconds later. I believe he does too.

My body slumped onto the bed in exhaustion as I panted trying to get my breathing back to normal.

The man comes closer and tries to touch my lips, but I push him away again.

"It won't go beyond that. I say standing up and running my hand over a towel that was there.

I go into the bathroom to wash off the traces of what I've just done.

This isn't the first time I've had sex with a stranger anywhere. I'm always on the go no matter where.

If they ask me questions I answer with silence. No name, no address, no conversation or promises that we'll see each other again. I've already lost count of how many penises entered and left my vagina and honestly, I don't care about their names.

I finish showering and wring out my long blond hair so the water will run off. I wrap my body in the towel and stop in front of the mirror, running my hand over it to see my reflection.

I'm in chaos. The dark circles under my blue eyes betray the sleepless nights I have. My skin has some blemishes, the result of something I don't even know about. Life has not been kind to me, ever. Therefore, I decided not to be nice to her.

"Sfortunata puttana!" I mutter and adjust the towel, leaving the bathroom.

Before I even get to the hotel room I ended up in, I hear the man's voice on the phone.

"Leave it to me, Papa, she can't get away." I will take you back.

Figlio di...

I should have known he was suspicious when he invited me out for a drink at the club. He seemed uninterested in anything since everyone was asking obvious questions.

Without a sound, I run my hand over my dress that is on the bed. I can't get caught, he can't get his filthy hands on me, I'm never coming back.

I go to the exit door and lightly touch the handle. Thank you for not squeaking. I open it slowly, I can even see the hallway of the shabby place where I am, but I can't get out, because the man's hands push the door slamming, and the other throws me away.

"Going somewhere?" he asks

I try to run, but the room is bereft of space. The man holds me trying to drag me to a room where he can keep me in a hurry, but I won't allow it.

With my elbow, I hit his chin making him wobble and thus free me, but it doesn't last long. Before I can even close the bathroom door, he reaches me, pulling my hair and hitting my head against the same mirror as before, which shatters everywhere, making me dizzy and fall to the floor, taking a few shards with me.

Blood oozes out as I try to lift my body in a desperate search for an escape.

" Huh! You're a lot of work, dear". He says as he positions himself on top of me. "Dad said I could use brute force if I had to, but that I'd have to take it."

I try to move, but I'm too weak at the moment.

The man doesn't miss the opportunity to try to touch me, even though he just did it a few minutes ago.

"Let's see what we've got here..." He pulls my breast out, but I smack him in the face, making his neck twist. "Cagna!" he revolts and punches my face making me lose a little more strength.

He squints his eyes shut, fighting the urge to close his eyes and fall asleep, but it comes on like a drag, taking me in gradually.

I want to give up, maybe I've never wanted to give up as much as I am now. My body is exhausted, my mind is heavy.

I'm tired of running.

Maybe I should go back to his arms, live what he wants for me.

I'm just going to sleep for a second...

"Amore mio, svegliati!"

I don't know how long I blacked out, but the voice in my head made me open up eyes in time to see the man rip off his pants.

An error.

Carelessness.

My hands are free to move as needed.

I want to give up, but not today!

The man places himself on top of me, ready to commit the act, but my hands are quick and fly straight to his neck that was free for me.

There was no time for anything, he just staggers back, holding his neck while strange sounds come out of his mouth, of those who are drowning.

He rips the piece of mirror from around his neck and tries to stop the blood splattering me, but it's too late. In the struggle to find air or not drown in his own blood, he was not the victor.

He falls to the ground lifeless.

I lean against the wall taking a deep breath and trying to catch my breath.

My face hurts, but I don't have that much time to grieve.

I scramble to my feet and turn on the shower to wash off the blood, which washes away with the water.

I walk out of the bathroom and into the bedroom grabbing my purse lying in a corner.

I remove her makeup and also some hair dye.

I go back to the bathroom and sigh when I see that the mirror is broken. From the floor I pick up a larger piece for my use.

It should do.

We spread the dye all over the blonde hair, or blurred it, I don't remember how many paintings I've had.

While it dries, I apply makeup to my face to disguise the cuts. It won't cover everything, but it will keep the eyes off.

I rip the lens off and look into my blue eyes.

"Long time, boys". I say.

I do everything I have to do quickly. I know some men can come up and I don't want to get caught.

It shouldn't take long for him to realize that his man is taking too long and by then there should be more men arriving.

I finish everything and leave the room, closing the door.

- Good morning! miss. says the maid and I just nod, making my way to the elevator.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

I hear the woman's scream of horror as the elevator door closes, taking me away from this place.

❞

One of the things I learned from being with him was how to take a person's life without mercy. At first it was so scary, but now after so many years I don't even bother anymore. In fact, I believe it served to protect me. If I was a naive 24 year old woman I would have been caught by now, but my naiveté died years ago.

Not that killing someone is pleasurable, but it's not nearly as scary as it once was. Today I don't cry, nor do I have nightmares.

Life must go on no matter how bad it is.

Either the wreath is yours, or it's theirs. What will it be?

I chose that the crown would be theirs.

I want to give up, but not today.

I stop in front of the Degli Uffizi gallery and look around, making sure I'm not being followed or watched.

Only a few people are in the place and they don't look suspicious.

I enter the place and walk in front of any painting, where a woman wearing a brown coat, with dark glasses is also observing the image.

I join her, looking at the same painting.

"I loved the hair" I say without turning to her.

"Where have you been?" she asks as she takes a step to the next frame.

"You know, around. I answer and take another step. "Did you get what I asked for?"

"To her left, near the statue.

I sneak a look and observe the brown leather suitcase.

"Thanks."

"Where are you going?" She checks worried and that time turns to me, analyzing my face.

I even understand, I'm her friend and it's normal for her to worry. She's all I have, she always helps me when I need it, but I can't put her at risk. He's capable of monstrosities to have me in his hands and I don't want her blood flowing through me.

" To live! " I reply moving away.

"You always say that." she mutters.

I don't look back after picking up the bag, I might end up taking a false step.

In the world I live in, feelings are a weakness, to have someone is to have a weakness and I can't have that.

Just like every time, I follow my path to be free.

I watch the view around me becoming more and more full of trees and green pasture with lots of livestock. Wholly the place is countryside, no wonder thieves hide out here as the whole way I couldn't see a town nearby that had a police station, which is fine as I don't want to draw attention though my new identity is true.

Another name, another birth date that carries the same age, another hair color. This time I have brown hair and I can use my real eyes. I'm still 24 years old and I don't carry my real name. My name is now Melanie.

As soon as I step into the entrance to the metropolis, it doesn't seem so bad. The clean streets, trees and plants on the sidewalks, people walking their dogs. The place is tame, airy I would say.

I get a few looks wherever I go, obviously everyone knows I'm from the outside, my backpack and suitcase dragging, besides, my face was not seen around. As it is a small metropolis, they must know each one.

I remembered a book where I read, that the city was exactly like that. Wives who joined the women's club to talk about their husbands, wearing exaggerated green ensembles and sun hats.

I had to shake my head, because that was exactly how it was. I wouldn't be surprised if the mayor of the neighborhood came up to probe me and that the mayor of the place was also the baker, driver and teacher.

I ended up looking through a catalog and went directly to a guesthouse I had researched earlier.

I pulled up in front of the one-story place with a dark pink facade. The glass door is closed, but I can smell food, which reminds me that I haven't eaten anything and I'm hungry.

Without much wait, I enter the place already hearing a small bell resonate.

I pass a hallway with some old portraits with colorful wallpaper. I finish the hall and come face to face with the reception of the place, which is not exactly what I expected. It looks pretty big, with a checkered floor and lamps.

The stairs show that the bedrooms are upstairs, and beside me doors that must be the rest of the place.

"Welcome!" I turn to a woman with short, yellow hair. She doesn't look older than 40, and she must own the place. She has beautiful light blue eyes and looks tired. Her skin already adopts some marks from the sun.

She scans me quickly, then continues.

"How can I help?"

"I need a room."

"Do you know how many days you will stay?"

"Not yet. Any problem with that?"

She gestures with her hands.

"No! None." she crosses the front desk and walks over to me. "Follow me."

The woman leads me to the back of the room, making me wonder what was upstairs if not the bedrooms?

We are now in a large courtyard, where the rooms have balconies in front and many plants. I have to admit it's cute.

She opens a door, revealing a large room with a pleasant clean smell.

The bed, the closet and the other furniture in there are dark and colored wood, all nicely upholstered in white tones. A well-appointed bathroom. What surprises me is that there is a balcony in the place, which shows me a table with three chairs and a view of a colorful viridarium, a wooden bench and a lake where swans bathe.

"The room is cleaned daily and your clothes can be left here for washing included." woman begins. "Coffee is served at six and taken off at seven, lunch at noon and taken off at one, and dinner at eight and taken off at nine. You can order something up here, of course it will cost a little more." she smiled awkwardly.

"All good." I say. "I will stay."

She smiled.

"I need some information to complete your entry." I hand over my identity card and she examines it. "I knew it wasn't from around here." I get a question mark on my forehead and she smiles. "The Italian drawl, although he doesn't say he was born there.

She's curious and smart, which can be a struggle, but I just need to be smart. I've done this many times.

"Italian father and American mother." I mention.

"Ah! So I understand where exotic beauty comes from."

"Mom! Why did you withdraw my application for riding lessons?"

The young woman with blond hair, who must be about 17 years old, enters the room with a raised voice. The girl looks like a cartoon, she's so pretty, I have to admit. Thick lips, very different from her mother's, thin, blinding blue eyes and her hair is almost white it's so blonde.

"Megan, not now!" she says looking at me shyly

"I want to take classes and today I found out that they are cut!"

"Megan!" She nods in my direction.

The light-eyed girl notices me, which makes me realize that she hadn't seen me before. She looks at me from head to toe and puts her hand over her mouth.

"Wow!" are you model?"

I'm enjoying receiving compliments around here.

"This is Melanie, our new tenant. she looks at me. "This is my daughter, Megan."

She hurries to take my hand, maintaining a foreign contact with me that I'm not acclimated to this much reception.

I need to at least try to be kind, not that I'm not, but when you're not used to something, it becomes weird.

"You're most welcome!" Are you a model? insists on knowing by dissecting me. "I never found you in magazines. It's new?"

"Megan!"

"I'm not a model, I'm just passing through. I answer and look at the woman. "Madame..."

"Oh! I am Esther. "She mentions her name."

"Okay. If you don't mind, I want to get some rest.

"Of course!" Please rest." She pushes her daughter away and closes the door.

Finally, I am alone.

I throw my body on the bed and confront the light ceiling of the place, letting out a long groan.

Am i safe here? No, I never am. It's a matter of time before they find me, but I can rest for a few days and then I'll take a new path, leaving no traces or taking root.

I seal my eyes for a moment and everything blurs.

Italy - 15 years ago.

"No!" Per favore, non farlo papa!" I cried in fear, being dragged by the big man.

No matter how much I protested, pleaded, I knew that never, no one would listen to me and if they were listening, they would never accomplish anything.

They were deaf, dumb and faithful to their capo. The frightened little girl didn't matter to them.

I was afraid, I was always afraid of him, because he never felt anything.

I was taken to the shed, soundproofed, where men were tortured daily for different reasons, all for affronting him.

The place smelled like death and made me even more afraid.

"No!" Don't leave me here!"

I pleaded with the man, who grabbed my hands throwing me to the ground.

So he entered the room, always standing where the light didn't touch his face, as if I had never seen the monstrosity in him.

Standing with his hands behind his back, his voice paced.

My crying was always unspoken for him, no matter how much I was screaming, I had to drown the tears. By panic.

"What I always say, man?" he groped. I sniff my nose still shaking my chin. "What do I always say about one of the mottos?"

"We never have mercy. It is their funeral wreath, or mine." I certify.

"And what did you do?"

I feel my nose burn with tears, but I don't allow myself to cry.

"I took pity on him and let him escape."

"And what happens when people don't follow Papa's orders?"

"Daddy no!" Please excuse me, I won't do it again!"

"Wipe your tears, little girl. A Savoia never cries!"

(...)

I finish drying my hair on the towel and leave the bathroom.

I've slept for a few hours, it's already night and I feel hungry.

I have a few minutes before dinner is over, so I choose to go downstairs and eat.

The dining room with its small table is empty. Since I arrived, I have noticed that there are no people staying here. Perhaps they're somewhere.

I look around and see Esther bringing a tray and putting it on the table.

"I'm glad you're awake." she says. " I took a while to serve so I could eat hot.

Megan brings out some glasses and a juice and puts it on the table.

"Is there no one else?" I ask suspiciously.

"Usually they come quickly. Most are tourists, so they almost never stop here. Some stay for one night, some for days. It's just us now. She gestures to the chair." Take a seat.

I sit up feeling my stomach rumble.

She served a beautiful meal, which smelled good and I didn't hesitate to eat it.

I can't remember when was the last time I sat and enjoyed a meal without having to look around for fear of being seen.

At the beginning, leaving Italy seemed difficult for me. It wasn't about the money, it was just about roots. There was a lot of stuff in there, something I didn't want to leave behind, I was afraid I would have to tear it apart. It was very difficult to make the decision to leave the country, but it turned out to be necessary.

I always expected something from there, naively I hoped, but I could no longer.

If I didn't want to go back into his hands, I had to be brave enough to step out of his wings, and I did.

Not that I'm going to stay here forever, but a few days will teach me how to run everywhere.

Having finished dinner, I went to the entrance of the place and found myself in a luminous city. The guest house is on an even more rustic street and I don't mind walking back from where I looked at the lake.

The posts are small, but the lighting is good, helping me to notice the lake moving in small waves.

I sit down on the bench and watch cautiously, wanton into nothing.

The serenity that and some places give you it's so mellow.

A couple walked past me and waved briefly, taking a walk with their dog.

For a second I find myself thinking about how it would be if I had their life.

I'd walk for a few minutes during the day, get dressed for work, and make my husband's coffee. Then I would walk our animal and return home, lying peacefully in bed and making love to him.

It's comical how I'm submerged in this, this life is not for me, never will be.

I've killed people, I've slept with many men, I've broken many hearts, and I've run.

Their lives are still theirs and mine is mine alone.

There will never be a chance of luck for me, and I've come to terms with it.

I toss and turn in bed after sleeping serenely. I have to admit that I've never slept so well, I can finally afford it.

I stretch and turn away, giving a big start when I see the light-haired figure sitting in a chair in my room, one of my books in her hand.

"Santo cielo! - I jump out of bed with my heart in my mouth. - What the hell are you doing in my room?

"I came to say good morning and ended up seeing this book here." She lifts the kama sutra book in her hand.

"Don't touch that!" I advance in her hand in a certain brutality and I see her turn red, maybe out of embarrassment. "Don't come into my room like that!"

"Megan! the girl's mother enters and takes her by the arm. - Sorry. she drags her out. - What are you doing? Didn't I tell you not to do that?"

I close the door and take a deep breath, trying to maintain control.

It's not a good idea to be in places with curious children. Curious kids discover dark causes.

I must find another place.

After locking the door, I grab my suitcase and open it, pulling the false bottom zipper and taking my gun out.

I'm not stupid not to carry a gun, where I come from I need to be on my guard.

I take out the CZ 75 SP 01 pistol and put it in the box, putting the padlock on and putting it in the bag. Then I put it at the head of the bed, under the mattress.

I can't risk hiding it outside the house, but I must be smarter.

I take a shower and get ready quickly, going to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Megan ducks her head when she sees me and her mother smiles awkwardly at me.

"Let me get you some coffee." offers already putting in the cup.

The atmosphere at the table is tense, of course Megan must have been scolded and I don't feel upset about it.

Esther sits down at the table to drink coffee too, which makes it feel weird to be eating with someone. It's not the fact that she owns the inn and has to keep her distance from people, but it's that I don't get to eat with anyone. I've always done everything myself and being in the middle of prying eyes is kind of agitating.

"Megan has something to say. - she says.

I turn to the girl and see her lower her head.

"Sorry for entering the room without permission." she takes in a nasty tone.

I nod seeing that Esther has an expression of astonishment. Maybe he thinks I'm leaving because of that, not that I haven't thought about it, but at the moment I like the place.

The ringing sound of the phone causes echoes in the boarding house and Esther gets up.

- Excuse me. She left in a hurry.

I stare at Megan only to see her awkwardly.

- How old are you? I ask.

"I'm 16," she replies.

"At 16 you should be interested in 'rock' or 'pop' bands, not a book like that." She blushes. "How much have you seen?"

- I did not see anything. quickly contravene and probe her intimately. She lowers her head and then turns to me. "I know what that is, I'm not that innocent."

"How far did you go?" I ask and she widens her eyes.

"I didn't..." She lowers her voice. "I didn't do it, if that's what you think." But, I'm not naive that I don't know.

"Stay away from it. - I mention and move the plate. "Find a 'rock' band, but don't do drugs."

She made a face.

"It sounds like my mother talking."

- But I'm not. I retort. "If I were, I'd spank you for meddling in adult affairs."

She flinches a little and Esther comes into the room.

"It was the priest. - she warns looking at Megan and then at me. - He's a good man, I cook and wash sometimes for him. You'll enjoy meeting him, he's a servant of the lord, you'll feel his peace , when you see him. -she nods with enthusiasm."

I don't answer, because I've never been religious. I've been to church a few times, but not to pray.

We finish our morning coffee and I even venture to help clear the table. Megan spent the whole coffee looking clogged and it wasn't the conversation, I suppose.

She and her mother argued about her tuition, which Esther refused to repay until her grades improved.

"Mom!" the girl snapped once more.

"We've already talked about this Megan and my answer is still no."

She mutters something and leaves carrying her backpack, stomping her feet.

Esther smiles sheepishly.

"Sorry about that, Melanie. - She says. "Having teenagers isn't always easy."

I understood, because I had already been one.

- I guess. I answer and we hear the bell that indicated that the door was being opened.

- Oh! It must be the priest." She walks to the entrance excitedly.

I push the chair and I don't bother to stay and have to kiss that priest's hand, like I said, I was never religious.

I'm abstracting back to my room, but with a few steps I'm stopped.

"Melanie, darling! Come say hello to the priest."

I hate playing the good girl.

I turn around to put an end to it at once and once I locate it, I go numb for seconds.

The man in front of me is not 70 years old, and he doesn't wear a cassock. There are no wrinkles on his face, just a stubble beard.

He has tanned skin and an upturned nose. Her hair is neatly cut, with dull little waves falling over her forehead. His face is handsome, with a low beard that makes him even more charming, and his eyes are sometimes light, sometimes dark. If I had to describe him, I'd say Paul Swan wouldn't come within a hair's breadth of him.

Everything in me shudders as his dark eyes grind me down.

The middle of my legs goes into red alert.

Even with the black T-shirt on, I can see the muscles behind the cloth.

"Melanie dear, this is Father Nicolas. says Esther. "Father, this is Melanie, she's staying for a few days. She came from abroad, from Italy." She hisses like it's a secret.

Nicolas, as he was given the name, smiles slightly on the side as he conducts a brief nod.

"Welcome Miss." his voice has such a perfect timbre that I can imagine him moaning. Consistent and voluptuous. "I hope you like the city." I don't answer, I just smile softly. "Esther? Can we talk for a moment?"

"Of course! Let's go this way Father."

They fade into the background as I straighten my body.

I believe it's not a bad idea to stay a few days. Nicolas is the perfect man for me, even though he is a priest and there will be no barriers to stop me from fucking him.

I end up getting curious and following them into the living room to hear what they are going to say.

"Thanks again for washing and ironing all my clothes, Mistress Esther."

"Imagine, I do what I can since you also help me a lot."

I feel a great familiarity between the two, it was to be expected, he is a priest and it is natural for him to listen to the complaints of others.

"And how is Megan doing? Still asking questions about her father?"

"Still, I don't know how long I'll hold on.

"Have faith, God is always taking care of all of us."

"Amen priest, amen. What would you like to talk to me about?"

"Oh! I was wondering if you could get someone to work at the church for me. I need you to take care of the cleaning and snacks. That way I don't have to eat here often."

"Imagine priest! I do it with love. Well, I can indicate some people who won't give you trouble." she smiles and I hear him smile too.

- It would be amazing!

I quickly understood what that meant. I wasn't the only one in town who wanted to rub the priest, but he didn't need to know that just yet.

I'm available, he needs someone and I can risk it.

I enter the room as if I don't want anything and I already receive the looks on me.

"Sorry, but I couldn't help but overhear the conversation," I mention. "Can I volunteer to work?"

It was momentary, but I could see the man looking me over from head to toe with eerie speed. I saw.

"Miss Melanie, have you ever worked in cleaning before?" asks Esther, making me a little upset.

"Am I not like someone who has worked before?"

"It's not that!" she shakes her hands. "It's just that she's too pretty and classy to have worked in cleaning before. It doesn't surprise me that she's the daughter of wealthy parents."

"I never needed my parents. - I answer a little resentfully. It hit me hard, I have to admit, 'I've always been on my own and I've worked before. She pinches herself a little and I look at the priest. "Can we run a test?"

He seems to think, but not for long.

"Can you stop by the church tomorrow morning?"

I smile internally.

- I will be there.

Grab the opportunities that life gives, that's the phrase that accompanies me.

The priest leaves soon after and I celebrate alone.

That man will be mine, I need him inside me nonstop.

I don't have a conscience to tell me what's right or wrong, I put her to sleep a long time ago, and that's good, so I don't have to carry anything.

Esther goes back inside and crosses the patio to me, who is sitting at a table on the porch.

"Looks like he intends to stay a while." she speaks. "Since you volunteered to work."

"I'm mulling over the idea."

She narrows her eyes, delving into me.

"You didn't accept just because you're interested in Father Nicolas, did you?" I arch my eyebrow. "He already keeps himself distant from the girls here who throw themselves at him. It wouldn't be good for you to act like that too."

- Why not? I ask and see her eyes widen.

- For God! He is a priest, chosen by the Lord. It is sin!"

I smile.

"I'm an atheist."

I see her twist her face into a terrified expression, but I don't stay to hear her lecture me.

Megan had someone to take after them, they're too curious.

Night came quickly with me looking forward. I'm rarely interested in anyone and I'm not talking about the sexes I've had, but real interest.

When I was 16 I had a crazy crush on one of the men who worked at home. He was a normal man, but in my head he was the most handsome man in the world! Even at 16 I already knew how to go after what I wanted, and I did everything to be where he was. The poor man had to pretend he wasn't the target of my advances, otherwise his head would roll mercilessly. But, I've always been fearless and his head really rolled one day when he smiled at me, without any malice and accepted the cake I bought.

Since that day I promised that I would never like someone, and I fulfilled that.

I never got attached, it was always sex and always will be.

All I know is just ambition. I want, I will. And end.

Sitting outside the pension, I pull a cigarette from the pack I bought a few days ago. He's still intact, one cigarette less and now two.

I put it in my mouth and flick the lighter, but even before I light it and taste it, I see Megan's blue eyes judging me.

"What is it?" I ask with the cigarette still in my mouth.

"Shouldn't smoke." she says, sitting down on the bench next to me. "It will kill you."

I take the cigarette out of my mouth.

"There are other ways to die and smoking isn't the worst of them," I say, but I end up putting the cigarette back in the pack.

Megan smiles and stares at the starry sky for seconds, drawing my eyes along.

"Why Ligonier?" She signals turning her eyes to my face. "You don't look like anyone who would choose to live in a small hick town like that.

"I have a soft spot for small, redneck places," I reply, that being a lie.

Megan's right, I'm not the type to wallow in cities like this, but I'm running out of big city options.

Not that it's so bad where I am, but if I could I wouldn't be here. It's dangerous, but when it comes to who I am, anywhere becomes.

"I hate." says and I return my concentration to her. "I want to leave when I can. In time, if you decide to stay here, you'll realize how toxic the place is and how people have overwhelming secrets and flaws but pretend they don't. They lie all the time."

It resented me, I am that person too.

"Well, everyone has a big secret, the kind you can't trust anyone. You're still young, you'll see when you're old enough and have your own problems. You'll need to lie, because lies are necessary sometimes."

She looks at me.

"Are you encouraging a girl to lie?"

"I'm teaching a girl to survive." she looks at me. "You will realize that the world is a dangerous place where you have to wear multiple masks on a daily basis." I stand and she watches me with her eyes. "Come in, it's late."

I don't wait for her words and I go in right away.

The world is not a dangerous place, the people are.