A month passed by and it was getting colder and colder by the day. Snatch and Jack had gotten along so well, more than he thought they would. Angela, on the other hand, still hadn’t gotten along with her. Not even the slightest signs of growth was showing in their relationship, but at least Angela tolerated Snatch’s presence now, somewhat.

They’d done a lot for their new little home. They had a decent amount of food, mostly from them stealing it from various locations. Angela had gotten much better with her social skills and rarely stuttered, but she still didn’t talk to anyone else. It was almost December and they had to prepare for the winter snow. Jack knew that would definitely test how much they’d progressed in their survivability.

“Hey Jack! We’re running low on firewood. Can you get us some more?!” Snatch shouted as she continued organizing their supplies.

Jack grabbed his bag and put it on. “Okay, I’ll be back! Don’t wait too long for me ladies!” He headed out and began walking towards the park to get more twigs and wood to keep the fire going.

Angela waved goodbye as Jack left. Shortly after, Snatch finished organizing everything and sat next to Angela. She tried saying “Hi!”, but the little girl ignored her.

“Why don’t you like me Angela? Still jealous that I’m taking your bro away from you or something?” She giggled and poked Angela’s cheek, intentionally provoking her.

Angela quickly slapped her hand away. “Please don’t touch me. I don’t like being touched.”

Snatch grabbed her hand, then sighed. “Sorry, just trying to start a conversation.”

It was a little awkward for a moment, with neither of them saying a single word. The only sound produced was that of the fire’s crackling.

Snatch scratched her head and turned to Angela again. “Say Angela, how much do you love your brother?”

Angela turned to Snatch with that cold blank stare of hers and seemed annoyed. She didn’t answer her question at first but after an intense stare off between the two, she bit the bullet and answered her question.

“He’s all th-that I got, and if anyone tries to take him away…” She stopped, letting the eerie wind whoosh its ghostly howl through the gaps between the wood. The fire continued to struggle for survival as it crackled to stay lit.

Angela turned to the struggling fire and stared into its dimmed flames. “I’d rather die than be alone again.” Angela grabbed a single stick nearby, breaking it into two and threw it into the dying fire.

Snatch’s eyes expanded slightly. Hearing that from someone Angela’s age made her feel really bad. She looked into the fire as well, watching those sticks Angela threw burn to a crisp to help the poor flame stay alive.

“You’re how old again?” Snatch hugged her knees as her eyes quivered. “To think someone your age thinks this way… it saddens me.”

A single tear dripped out of her eye and ran down her cheek. She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “Trust me Angela, no one’s going to take him away. They’ll have to go through us if they want him. He’s too great to be killed by anyone.”

Angela gasped slightly. That brought some joy into her. For once she was getting along with Snatch and didn’t mind her presence.

Angela let out a small chuckle and grinned. “You’re not that bad, Snatch. Sorry if I’m mean sometimes.”

Snatch giggled, then grabbed another stick and threw it into the fire. “It’s fine. I understand the situation you’re in. I just wish someone like him was by my side when I was young.”

“Oho? And what were y-you like when you were m-my age?”

“That can be for another time, it’s a bit too personal for me to talk about. Do I even have to mention how you still detest me? So even if I tell you something that personal you’d most likely pick on me on my decisions or worse.”

“Hmm, you’re right, but I’m guessing you’d rather te-tell my brother in-instead?”

Snatch smiled and blushed. “To be honest, you aren’t wrong, and I think I’m starting to like your brother.” She quickly realized what she’d just said out loud and reacted out of embarrassment. “I-I mean! Ahh! Don’t tell him that, okay?! It’s our little secret.”

Angela got upset again, but she hid her feelings. She didn’t want to ruin the moment they were having. “Okay, I promise.”

Snatch didn’t realize Angela had her fingers crossed behind her back.

Snatch wiped her forehead out of relief. She smiled and turned to Angela. “So, what’s the story behind you guys?”

Angela stayed quiet and ignored her new question. Snatch sighed in annoyance and continued to keep the fire going. Angela headed out and spotted policemen roaming the streets.

“He-Hey! Miss Nuisance, we have pol-police coming.” Angela got over to a makeshift cover that was in the corner big enough to cover their new home.

“Uh-oh!” Snatch said, but before she could take action with Angela and help her grab the cover, she stopped and thought about what Angela called her.

“Hold up. Did you just call me a nuisance?”

“Yeah? What about it?” Angela asked calmly, grabbing one end of the cover.

Snatch sighed but smiled. “Well, I guess that’s one step forward into our complex relationship.” She went to the other end, grabbed it and they both carried the blanket outside.

They covered the shack and hung out in the street to make it seem like they were siblings walking down the street. The police didn’t even bother them and continued on with their duty. Both girls were relieved and continued with what they were doing before.

An hour passed by and Jack returned with some wood and was exhausted. His eyes were tired looking, he was catching his breath, and lastly he was ready to collapse at any moment. Jack even let out a long groan to relieve his stress and exhaustion.

“Welcome home! Were you ever in danger?” Snatch asked with a big smile. She helped Jack with the wood and carried some to relieve his exhaustion.

“Nah! I’m fine. How are you and Angela doing? Getting along, or is it the same as usual?”

Snatch sighed. “Well, we did get to talk a little, but she gave me the cold shoulder.” Snatch grabbed some wood and threw it in the fire. “Say Jack, do you think we can talk tonight… Alone?”

Jack set aside the rest of the wood and tilted his head. “Uh, I guess? What for though?”

“Something!” She giggled and skipped away.

“Where are you going?” Jack grinned and turned his attention to Angela. “Hey Angela, come over here. Your bro has a few things he wants to say to you.”

Angela slowly walked up to Jack and looked around to make sure Snatch wasn’t around. “Yes brother, what is it?”

Jack sat down and patted his lap. Angela smiled and quickly sat on it. “So Angela, how are you getting along with Snatch so far, hmm?”

Angela puffed out her cheeks out of frustration. “She’s annoying!” Angela then poked his face. “But she isn’t so bad. Why do you like her so much?”

Jack poked Angela’s face too in retaliation. “Because she reminds me of Anna. I guess that’s why I like her.”

She got in Jack’s face, which startled him. “So, do you like her? Do you like her more than me?”

Jack waved his hands to ease her. “Of course not! You’re my sister. No one will ever take your place.”

Angela looked away with puffed out cheeks and whispered, “Not yet.”

“Did you say something Angela?”

“No, nothing at all.” She stood up and got off his lap. “I’m going for a quick walk.”

“Be careful and don’t take too long. It’s almost dark.”

She walked off and now Jack was all alone. It was quiet and the fire had finally regained its full potential. Shortly after, Snatch came back.

“Hey, where’s Angela?” Snatch asked.

“She’s just taking a quick walk before nightfall,” Jack said.

“I’ve got something to show you. Follow me.”

“Sure. How far are we going?”

“Not too far, just around the corner.”

Jack got up and followed her. She seemed all excited and even grabbed his hand. They ran to wherever she wanted to go, and they arrived at an abandoned house, where they both ran upstairs.

They arrived at the master bedroom of the abandoned broken home. She showed Jack the cracked window and opened it. He walked up to the window and looked out. He was astounded by the view. The city didn’t look pretty of course; with smog being visible to the city skyline lights, off-distance houses seemingly abandoned like the ones they’re in, infrastructure withering away, and overgrown greenery on parts of roads/highway bridges. But the view was decent enough. He gazed out at the multicolored city lights off in the distance, with the full moon above a skyscraper. Car headlights zoomed past from the highway in front of them. It was a nice sight for the crap infested within the city.

Snatch walked out of the window and onto the roof. She wanted Jack to follow her, so he obliged and followed her. The view was even better. The city lights, the sound of cars going off into the distance, yet the sound of gunfire was also evident, which drowned out the potential beauty it could’ve been.

They both sat next to each other on the roof and enjoyed the view together, basking in the view of the bloodstained city.

“Why’d you bring me here, Snatch?” Jack asked.

“Well, I wanted to talk.”

“About what exactly?”

She hesitated and took a deep breath. “Well… you see, I have a secret. And I’m afraid to tell you because I think you’ll look at me like I’m some kind of piece of garbage.”

Jack placed his hand on Snatch’s shoulder. “Trust me, I won’t treat you any different. I’ll always treat you the same as I treat Angela.”

She sighed out of relief and clasped her hands together. She looked up at the full moon and closed her eyes for a moment. Her caramel glazed hair fluttered with the cool breeze as the moonlight shone on them.

She lowered her hands and slowly opened them. She turned to Jack and stared into his barely dimmed eyes. “Jack… I’m an addict.”

Jack took his hand off her shoulder and looked back at the city. He stayed silent for a while and continued to admire the view. His head moved side to side to capture every single viewpoint of the city as his barely dimmed eyes continued scanning, leaving Snatch hanging in silence. He lets out one soft sigh and blows his breath out into the cold air, seeming relaxed.

Snatch’s eyes quivered out of fear, afraid that Jack would reject her now. She also stared at the city as he continued staring in silence, worried about what he’d say.

“I’m guessing you hate me and find me disgusting, huh?” She clenched her pants and tears slowly started flowing out of her eyes. She shook her head and turned to him. “Answer me Jack! Please! Please!”

Tears streamed down Snatch’s face as Jack continued staring at the city with a calm, but gentle smile. She couldn’t take the rejection any longer. She stood up with her fists clenched with her eyes flooded. She wanted an answer, but he seemed eerily calm and focused.

Jack still ignored her. The feeling of utter rejection shattered her heart into a million pieces. She’d had enough, and as she was about to walk away, Jack finally answered back calmly, “You too, huh?”

Snatch stopped and looked back, left in awe and disbelief. She couldn’t believe what she just heard. She stood there shocked in silence. The wind grew stronger, making her tears fly off her cheeks.

“What do you mean by ‘you too’ Jack?”

Jack chuckled and got up, then approached Snatch and looked into her eyes. He placed his hands on her shoulders and stared into her misty brown eyes.

“You heard me right? You’re not alone Snatch.” Jack wiped her tears with his finger and patted her head. “I already told you… no matter the answer, I’ll always treat you the same.”

Snatch was left in absolute shock. She’d never been treated this nicely by anyone for so long. She had been alone for so long that she’d forgotten what it meant to have a friend.

With a smile appearing on her saddened face, she grabbed his hand and wiped her own tears away. She laughed with joy, which made Jack happy. “You’re right!”

Snatch grabbed his hands and stared at his rough palms. “You really are something, you know that?” They both sat down again and the moment they sat, Snatch leaned against his shoulder. “You’re too mature for your age. You know that?”

“Really? Same can go for you too, Snatch.” Jack chuckled.

She leaned towards his ear and whispered, “Alexandria.”

“Huh?”

“My real name’s Alexandria. You’re the only person to know my name besides my parents and old friends.”

“Is that so? Well, it’s a beautiful name.”

She blushed. “I also have something else to tell you, Jack.”

“What is it?” He turned to her with a smile.

Alexandria grabbed his face and placed her lips against his. It was so sudden. Jack didn’t know how to react. He was so confused, lost and dumbfounded in shock.

After the kiss, Jack shook his head and scratched it in confusion. “Uh? What was that?”

She giggled and placed her hand on his cheek. “It was a kiss, silly!”

“A kiss?!” Jack shouted. “I don’t even know what that is. The only people who’ve done something like that to me were my parents. I’m so confused!”

She laughed and lay on his lap. “I-I love you… Jack.”

Jack didn’t know how to reply. He was still lost and confused. But then he remembered that his parents did the same thing, telling him that they loved him and placed their lips on his cheek.

He reacted with disgust from remembering but smiled afterwards. He patted Alexandria’s head gently as she blushed red. “Do you really? That’s sweet.”

She understood that Jack was still oblivious to the whole love thing, so she just laughed it off and blamed his age, or figured that he might be a dense fool. Jack ruffled her hair to comfort her. She enjoyed it and closed her eyes to embrace the moment. They cuddled and continued to look out at the city.

She was such a weird person, but Jack guessed that was why he liked her as a friend. He hoped they could continue moving forward and maybe one day he could understand what the meaning of this love was. He knew he was sorry that he couldn’t answer her question, but he hoped one day he could.

As Jack looked off into the distance, he saw that something was different. It came from their shack. It looked like black smoke.

Jack quickly got up, surprising Alexandria, and began running. Alexandria was confused but quickly followed and they headed back home.

As they ran, the only thing that went through Jack’s mind was wishing that Angela would be alright. He started sprinting now, worried that someone might hurt her.

“Slow down Jack!” Alexandria shouted, but Jack was too focused.

They got home and the smoke was gone. Jack pushed the door open and Angela wasn’t inside. He checked behind the shack, but she wasn’t there either. He started panicking and shouting Angela’s name, then all of a sudden he heard a girl giggling. He headed to the direction of the giggling and as he got there, it was Angela.

“Angela!” Jack yelled. “Are you okay?”

Angela seemed confused. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why are you all sweaty and where were you?” She hugged Jack. “I was worried that you’d abandoned me and ran off with Snatch.

“We were just checking out an abandoned house,” Jack explained.

Angela became relieved and clinched onto Jack even harder. “How come you were giggling?” Jack asked.

She looked at him and tilted her head in confusion. “Giggling? I wasn’t giggling?”

Jack’s heart started to pound with fear. His face became distraught. “Then-Then, who was it?”

Out of the bloom, that girl’s voice in Jack’s head said, “It was me!”

It sounded like she whispered into his ear. Jack turned around, letting go of Angela and started panicking as the giggling began again. This time, it was everywhere. At every corner, at every turn, and within the confines of his head.

Jack screamed. “Please, make it all stop!” He dropped to his knees and gripped his hair in frustration.

Everything got blurry in Jack’s vision, and all he could hear was static. He was beginning to pass out and slowly afterwards, he could see Angela approach him. She seemed to be panicking and crying. As Jack was about to close his eyes, he heard one last thing.

The girl in white appeared in his very blurred vision. She stood behind a frightened Angela, along with Alexandria who was trying to make Jack stay awake.

She covered his vision with total darkness and said, “Let this be a lesson and learn from it.”

Jack passed out and everything around him echoed inside his dark, empty mind. The girl chuckled sadistically. The only thing Jack heard was her final words and beating heart.

“The more you treat me horribly, the more I’ll punish you, Jack!”

Jack stood in the middle of total darkness, and in his plain view was a purple outline of his own beating heart. His heart was getting wrapped up by her treacherous pale hands, then massaged it and stopped his heart from beating any longer. She giggled as Jack fell on the ground and lay there motionless, like some puppet without its strings.