Page 19 of Scream for Me

“We’re almost there,” Scully says in a joyless tone, confirming my suspicions of our proximity to the end. I want to question how he can tell, but the darkness fading reveals the answer, each step brighter.

Scully slows, perhaps out of fear of the light itself or for what it will mean for us when we reach our destination. There’s a drop up ahead. The woods have been nothing but flat plains, so this change seems important. I can’t see beyond the low-lying treetops, and anticipation rings around us, buzzing with speculation about what could be on the other side.

Scully approaches slowly, placing me on the ground once we meet the edge. I straighten out my leafy garments, which are not as structured this time, since I had to craft them on the go, but at least they cover my goodies. I don’t want to show up in a brand new place with my tits hanging out. If anything positive can be assumed, it’s probably a desert or an uninhabitable forest with sunshine. But on the off chance that people or other people-like creatures are involved, I’d like to be clothed. Scully’s mother wanted to come here. There had to be rumors of something good for her to risk her own life and that of her child. Or maybe she was like me, risking it all for hope and love.

He doesn’t move, and I can’t wait any longer. I step forward, peering over the edge. It’s not an endless drop, but a gradual slope. Light shines through an opening at the base, and trees curve around the cleared exit. I take a step closer, eager to peek at what’s on the other side. Scully grabs my hand, pulling me back, twirling me to his chest. I stare up at his golden eyes, dimmed with a muted sadness. He doesn’t speak, just stares down at me, studying me intently.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“I just want more time.”

I place my hands on his chest. “We’ll have all the time in the world once we’re on the other side.”

He shakes his head. “The light, it could burn me. I might not be able to go.”

I shrug casually. “Then we won’t go.” I look away from his eyes, unable to hold their gaze. It's a mystery that with eyes like his—bright as the sun itself— he can’t be in the light. I refuse to believe it.

He pinches my chin, turning me back to him. “Marie.”

I push him, an unmovable wall. “Stop. It will be okay. Your mother wanted to bring you here.”

“No one knows what’s beyond the woods. She was led by hope alone.”

“Maybe you’re forgetting the truth. Maybe she did know.”

He sighs, stepping away from me. “I want you to have realistic expectations. It might not be somewhere either of us can stay. You can choose to stay here in the light without me if that’s the case, or go back to your world, but living in my woods is not an option.”

I charge him, pushing against his chest with all my might. He doesn’t budge. “Don’t I get a say? You captured me, dragged me here without my consent, and now you’ll drag me back without it either?”

“I have to do what’s best for you.”

“I thought you said you loved me.” My anger is gone. I tremble, my lip wobbles, and tears stream down my cheeks.

He softens, kneeling and cupping my chin in his giant clawed paw. “I do love you.” I lock my eyes to his, still unsure if I’m imagining his words. “I love you more than myself. I can’t bear to watch you suffer just to be with me.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “But I love you. I will suffer without you, more than I would in these woods.”

He still doesn’t melt into me, rigid as if not accepting my words. “You don’t know that. You just met me, and I’ve nearly killed you numerous times, by my own hands, and simply putting you in the way of harm. You could forget all about me once you’re home and safe.”

I clench his fur. “I won’t. I’ve never felt as safe as I do with you, even with monsters surrounding us. I’ve never had a home, never had a place I belong, but with you, I’m seen, complete, not damaged.”

He doesn’t respond, his eyes darting as if unsure how to react.

I jump him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Please don’t make me go. I can’t live without you. I don’t care what you think. I can’t.” I don’t know when I became the type of girl that could be so desperate for a man, but maybe that’s it. He’s not a man. He’s a monster, the dark and twisted kind that lights my nerves on fire, all while dulling the jagged edges of myself, healing my ragged wounds. I won’t find anything like him back on Earth, and even if I could, I wouldn’t want to. I want him. Only him, no matter what.

After what feels like a lifetime, he exhales, running a hand down my back. “Okay.”

“Really?” I push against him to look at him, sadness completely gone.

He gives an incredulous look, shaking his head. “I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do. I think I’ve done enough of that for a lifetime.”

I hug him again and whisper into his ear. “I’ve always wanted everything you’ve done to me.”

He growls, low in his throat, his grasp inching lower. I push back, already guessing where this is heading, and jump to the ground. I grab his hand. “Alright, Kitty, let’s actually see what’s beyond these woods.” Probably should have done that before we had a big sap-fest, but I guess it’s better this way. I want him to know that I’d choose him, even if my options were grim.

We stand at the edge again, hand in hand this time. “Do you want me to go first?” I ask.

“Of course not.” He seems offended by the question and swoops me into his arms.