The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 239

Chapter 239

This was the first time Hayley had ever talked to Thomas, and she honestly didn’t expect that he didn’t smoke at all

Everything she knew about him came from what people in the base said.

They claimed Thomas had gotten into trouble as a teenager and spent years in a juvenile facility. After he got out, he ended up fighting in underground boxing rings.

They said he barely talked, had a bad temper, and hit people whenever he felt like it. No one could really communicate with hum.

And with all those tattoos, he looked scary enough that everyone assumed he wasn’t a decent person. At the very least, they thought smoking and drinking had to be part of his life.

“It’s fine. You can take one of mine,” Hayley said, holding the pack out again.

“I really don’t smoke. My sister hated the smell,” Thomas replied.

“You have a sister?” Hayley put the cigarettes away and took out two pieces of chewing gum instead.

This time, Thomas accepted.

He carefully unwrapped the gum, popped it into his mouth, and folded the silver wrapper into a tiny paper boat.

“Where is she now?”

“She’s gone,” Thomas said flatly.

“Zombie?”

“No,” Thomas said, his fingers tightening.

He looked at Hayley.

“She killed herself. If she were still alive, she’d be about your age.”

Hayley went quiet.

She didn’t ask any more questions, but Thomas started talking on his own.

“My dad was a construction worker. When I was seven, he died in an accident on the job. My mom went to demand compensation, but the contractor refused. She smashed her head against the site gate and died right there. After that, it was just me and Gina.

“I dropped out of school early and worked whatever jobs I could find to send Gina to school.

“When she started middle school, I sent her to a boarding school. In her second year there, she jumped from a building

“Before she did it, she called me so many times. She told me she didn’t want to go to school anymore I yelled at her, forced het to go back. Later, I found out those animals were bullying her ”

As Thomas spoke, real killing intent flickered in his eyes His massive hand clenched into a fist, and his whole body shook

“It’s my fault. All my fault. If I hadn’t forced her, she’d still be alive She was the only family I had lett

A hand suddenly rested on his shoulder

“Hey, man. That’s in the past.”

Thomas turned to look at Hayley.

“If I were Gina, I’d be proud of you,” Hayley said softly “You got revenge for her, and you keep protecting girls like her That

+15 Bonus

matters.”

Thomas started shaking harder. He gripped the little paper boat in his hand and lowered his head.

Hayley stayed right there with him, quiet and steady.

After a long time, Thomas finally looked up again. “I know this might sound weird, but… Gina used to call me Tommy Can you call me that?”

“Sure. Wanna work for me, Tommy?”

A huge smile spread across Thomas’s rough face. “Yes! I’ll work for you. I’ll protect you!”

They smiled at each other.

At the same time, a notification flashed in Hayley’s mind.

Ding!

[Base guard +1 detected!

[Reward: Combat suit +1, and 1,000 points! Loyalty increased!

[Current loyalty: 100. Tier: Purple (Unbreakable Oath)!]

Hayley froze.

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