Read Duality: Vol 2, Euphoria (A New Adult Paranormal Romance) for Free Online

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    “Mojo.  Fucking zombie mojo.   Have I ever told you how much my life sucks?”  Kootch looked up at Malcolm, staring at him with bloodshot eyes that were filling with tears.  “That my dad’s a goddamn alcoholic and he likes to punch me in the abs after he’s had a few.  Says it’s to test my strength.”  He was clearly anguished, barely able to talk now.  “Have I ever told you that?”
    Malcolm let Kootch go, his tone no longer threatening.  “No, man.  You never did.  I’m sorry.”
    Kootch dropped his head and started crying.  “Oh god damn that was awful.”  He put his arms around himself as if he was hugging his own waist.  “Oh shit, that was bad.  Fuuuu-uuhhhh— uuuuck! ”
    “What?” I asked, moving around Malcolm, pushing him off when he tried to stop me.
    “The darkness,” was all Kootch could say through his sobs.
    I knew what I had to do.  It was the only thing I could do.  I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him hard.  “Shhhh.  It’s okay.  You’re not getting punched anymore.”
    Kootch melted into me.  “I don’t want to get punched anymore.  I don’t want to get my abs tested anymore.”
    I patted him on the back.  “Of course you don’t.  That’s child abuse.  No one wants to be abused.  No one.  Dads are supposed to love us, not hurt us.”
    I pulled away before I could juice him up too much with my Rainbow light.  “Better?” I asked as he swiped the tears away with the back of his hand.
    He nodded, clearing his throat.
    “Jesus,” said Malcolm, staring first at me and then at Kootch.
    “What dude?”  Kootch’s voice was raw.  “You never cried in your life?  Shit.  Real men cry when they see the end of the road, you know?”
    “That’s what you saw?” Malcolm asked, sounding stricken.  “The end of the road?  Like your life was over?”
    “Hell yeah, that’s what I saw.  That’s one hell of a Grim Reaper vibe you’ve got going on there, assmunch.”  Kootch took a step back from Malcolm.  “Keep your paws to yourself or I’m gonna have to test your abs.”
    “Don’t worry.  I’ll stay away.”  Malcolm took a step back from both of us.
    “Don’t do that,” I begged, pretty sure I knew what he was thinking.
    “Don’t do what?”  Malcolm was angry.
    “Pull away.  Say to yourself that you’re just going to disappear somewhere and leave me behind.”
    He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.  “Geez, Rae.  Are you a mind reader too?”
    I reached out a hand and put it on his arm.  “No.  I’m just like you.  Remember?  We’re in the same boat.”
    “Floating up shit’s creek,” he said, bitterness lacing his voice.  He pulled his arm away from my touch, putting his hands deep in his front pockets.
    I shrugged.  “Maybe.  But I’d rather be in a boat on shit’s creek with you than in one alone.”
    Malcolm’s expression lost some of its anger.
    “Awww, isn’t that sweet?” asked Kootch, walking backwards to his cot.  “Totally gagworthy.  Do you mind if I sleep?  I’m tired as shit, and I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be hardcore.  When the big Butts get here, shit’s gonna go down.”
    “The big Butts?”  I couldn’t help but smile.  Kootch so had a way with words.
    “Yeah.  That’s what I call her parents, but don’t tell them I said that.”
    “Too late,” said Jasmine, her image back on the monitor.  “I recorded it.  Now you are my slave and I am your master, or the Big Butts will hear all about your little nickname for them.”
    “Aw, come on, Butts!  That ain’t cool!  You can’t record me without my permission!”  He threw himself down on the cot, staring at the ceiling again.  “Fucking spy kid.”
    “Watch it, slave.  You don’t want to displease me.”
    Kootch mumbled something I couldn’t hear before flipping over onto his side, his back to us.
    “What happened with the guy outside?” asked Malcolm.  “It looked like