The Collection Series by Blake Blessing

“Why are you all so pretty? ”. It all started when I was six years old. I was homeless. They were held prisoner. I saved them. Even though it put me in the system. They believed we built an unbreakable bond forged by trauma. These beautiful, damaged boys saw me differently than the rest of the world. As much as I wished I could feel the same. I couldn’t. These boys–men–had too much anger. Too much hate. They wanted to burn down anything and everyone who had wronged them... more“Why are you all so pretty? ”. It all started when I was six years old. I was homeless. They were held prisoner. I saved them. Even though it put me in the system. They believed we built an unbreakable bond forged by trauma. These beautiful, damaged boys saw me differently than the rest of the world. As much as I wished I could feel the same. I couldn’t. These boys–men–had too much anger. Too much hate. They wanted to burn down anything and everyone who had wronged them. It was eating them up inside. I tried to warn them. Instead of listening to me, they were set on destroying themselves. And me in the process. less

They all want me. The nobody. Their savior. I’d always idolized them growing up, but since they forced me back, I see them for who they are. My four beautiful, angry boys grew into stubborn, selfish men. Men who take what they want with no regard for anyone or anything. Except maybe me. But I won’t let my feelings blind me. All four men are masters of manipulation and so incredibly toxic. Despite it all, I want them too... moreThey all want me. The nobody. Their savior. I’d always idolized them growing up, but since they forced me back, I see them for who they are. My four beautiful, angry boys grew into stubborn, selfish men. Men who take what they want with no regard for anyone or anything. Except maybe me. But I won’t let my feelings blind me. All four men are masters of manipulation and so incredibly toxic. Despite it all, I want them too. Burned bridges and buried bodies litter the roads they’ve traveled, and the crimes they’ve committed are threatening to unravel the life they’ve built. They’ve made enemies in a world I want no part of. This time, I’m going to do more than warn them. This time, I’m doing everything different. But can I stay and sacrifice the life I wanted for myself? Or will history repeat itself? less

She’s dirty now. Just like us. In just the span of a few months, I’ve seen the power their enemies hold, that every puppet has its strings, and so many people want a piece of the boys. It’s the worst time to be reunited, but it’s taught me that this connection we feel, it’s not enough. I’m done fighting against them and I want it all. Except, they don’t know the real me, only the person they’ve built up in their heads... moreShe’s dirty now. Just like us. In just the span of a few months, I’ve seen the power their enemies hold, that every puppet has its strings, and so many people want a piece of the boys. It’s the worst time to be reunited, but it’s taught me that this connection we feel, it’s not enough. I’m done fighting against them and I want it all. Except, they don’t know the real me, only the person they’ve built up in their heads. And I don’t really know them–just the dark, obsessive men they’ve shown me since they brought me back into their lives. Yet, there’s an undeniable pull between us that I can’t ignore, and I’m finally getting a real taste of who the boys are. Until it all falls apart. Now history is repeating itself in the worst way and I’m dying inside trying to get them back. I’ll do what I couldn’t do before. I’ll be whatever I need to be–work with the devil if I have to. If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s save my boys. But what happens when they decide they don’t want me anymore? less

Atlas. I’ve watched her from the day she saved us. From the shadows. From the cameras. Then from inches away in bed. But when I find her seconds from losing her life, it isn’t her I zeroed in on, it was him. And he has to die. No one is taking this girl from me. Not when she’s finally mine. Kim. She is everything to me. My savior, my heart, my very reason to breathe. Yet, when I’m rendered helpless, something inside me cracks. Changes me so irrefutably, I will never be the same... moreAtlas. I’ve watched her from the day she saved us. From the shadows. From the cameras. Then from inches away in bed. But when I find her seconds from losing her life, it isn’t her I zeroed in on, it was him. And he has to die. No one is taking this girl from me. Not when she’s finally mine. Kim. She is everything to me. My savior, my heart, my very reason to breathe. Yet, when I’m rendered helpless, something inside me cracks. Changes me so irrefutably, I will never be the same. I will save her, no matter what I have to do, even if it kills me. Joaquin. How could I have let myself be so stupid? Betrayal clouded my judgment, then fear kept me at arm’s length. Only to realize that she is the most important person in my life. I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to her before I can tell her how much she means to me. I just hope I get the chance to tell her. Lake. Not again. Too many times, I’ve watched my friends suffer. I’m the one who needs the pain, yet I could never save them. I would not survive watching her fall to the same fate. Our enemies must pay, and it’s my job to make sure even the devil himself will fear us. less