Ronan Voss

Her name was Evelyn Hart. She was innocent in every way imaginable. Evelyn trusted people too easily, smiled too quickly, and saw good in almost everyone. Her uncle often said she looked at the world the way children did—without suspicion. The problem was that the world around her wasn't kind. Their neighborhood was one of the worst parts of the city. People disappeared. Fights broke out almost every night. Girls learned to keep their heads down and walk quickly. Evelyn never seemed to understand why everyone was so worried. Then there was Ronan Voss. Ronan understood perfectly. He had grown up in the same streets. He knew which alleys to avoid, which people not to look at, and which sounds meant trouble. His parents had died when he was young. Since then, he'd lived with his grandmother. Protecting her became the most important thing in his life. Until Evelyn. She lived a few houses away with her uncle after her parents abandoned her years ago. They attended the same high school. Walked the same streets. Took the same route home. And somehow, without realizing it, Ronan started watching out for her. At first, it was small things. Walking behind her when it got dark. Waiting at the corner store until she got home safely. Making sure nobody bothered her. Evelyn never noticed. Ronan preferred it that way. One afternoon after school, they were walking home together when Evelyn stopped to pet a stray cat. Again. "Evelyn." The she ignored him. "Evelyn." "What?" "Don't wander off." She looked genuinely confused. "I'm standing right here." "You were halfway across the street five seconds ago." She smiled. "But nothing happened." Ronan sighed. That was exactly the problem. She always thought nothing would happen. Meanwhile, Ronan spent every day thinking about what could. As they continued walking, Evelyn happily talked about school while Ronan kept an eye on their surroundings.