The Truths We Burn (The Hollow Boys, #2)

by Monty Jay

Most say Lucifer fell due to his rebellion. I say God’s favorite of all the angels fell in love.

Masochism. Pleasure in being abused or dominated. A taste for suffering.

Some call it sadomasochism. That’s what I like. You see, I really love pain.

I love the way pain explodes inside my skin, reminding me of all the things I deserve punishment for. The constant reminder that even on Earth, we must all pay for our sins. Hell would be a walk in the park. I practically ruled it.

Violence done without the name of God is something hideous, but as long as you’re quoting scripture before beating your son, it’s alright. It’s holy, the work of prophets.

“You can’t keep me from them. It’ll never happen. Just like I can’t keep you from polishing off that entire bottle tonight. Remember, I’m the devil. The devil does as he pleases.”

The Antichrist is what they call me. Pooled from the loins of Satan. Hell on planet Earth, or in this case, hell for Ponderosa Springs. I love it.

Thatch is good at a lot of things—talking his way out of a mass murder, winning the hearts of millions, stabbing things—but starting fires is a little too messy for the clean freak.

Fire is a key element to my existence. Every strike of a match, every flick of a flame is a compulsion. There is no stopping it. I’m always thinking about it, dreaming, contemplating it.

A darkness, a hunger that lives inside each of us. Separately, we are just kids born with tragedy leaking from our split veins. Together, we are utter chaos.

Because I’m Sage Donahue. Rich bitch was pumped straight into my umbilical cord in the womb. I’m the cheer captain and everyone’s favorite sweetheart. Man-eater. Heartless.

Money, money, money. That’s everyone’s favorite pastime here. It’s all they care about. They eat, shit, breathe it. Money will fix everything because it buys silence.

“Everyone knows Thatcher Pierson will be turning into Daddy Dearest soon enough. I’m just waiting to see if anyone catches him sparkling in the sun.”

Something that I’ve always admired and simultaneously drives me up the wall about Rook is how unpredictable he is. You never knew what you’ll get from him. A smile, a Molotov cocktail, a knife in the back, a laugh. The only boy in their group that you can’t prepare for is him.

The psycho. The vengeful one. The schizo. And the devil. The Hollow Boys.

But sometimes, very rarely, I wonder what it would feel like for someone to look at me like that. Like I’m more than a problem. A mistake. A monster. Lucifer. Someone who looks at me like I’m human.

We’re the people parents warned you about when you were growing up, the boogeymen beneath your bed. We are abominations to this merry-go-round town where everyone plays their part.

Sage is a poison apple. Too pretty for her own good, but could kill you with one single bite. Even at the thought of that, I’m still ready to sink my teeth into her. I was never the one who thought things through. I act on impulse only, and right now, the only thing on my mind is showing her exactly what she’s been missing. “I can’t wait for the day you come searching for trouble, princess. I’m gonna have so much fun with you.”