AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"She ran into the woods. She's terribly upset," Ma says.
She left me.My beauty…left me.
I swallow the bellow of agony, the roar of rage, refusing to voice it. Refusing to believe it. She wouldn't leave me, not like this, not after everything. She loves me that much I know for sure. Even if she is angry that I pressured her into facing her father, she wouldn't leave like this.
"Perhaps I should go after her."
"You'll do no such thing," I growl.
"Draven Asher Woodburn, don't you tell me what I'll do," Ma harrumphs.
"Ma," I say, striving for patience when every instinct screams for me to run, to chase Dahlia down and demand answers. Part of me wants to punish her for fleeing. The other wants to scoop her up and dote on her. Monster and man, always at war when it comes to her. Will it ever be different? "The last fu…the last thing I need is both of you lost in the go…in the woods or eaten by bears. You'll stay here. I'll go after her."
"You can't see!"
"It'll be dark soon."
Ma harumphs again.
"Ma, I'll be fine."
"You better be, Draven Asher Woodburn!" Her footsteps sound on the floor, her shadow moving closer. And then I feel her arms surround me in a fierce hug. "If anything happens to you, I'll kill you myself. Bring our girl home, my darling boy. She needs us as much as you need her."
"I will," I promise, hugging her tightly. Christ, I've never been as grateful for Ma as I am in this moment. I may have lost my father as a boy and spent my life in darkness, but I never lacked for love. I never doubted the woman in front of me or her acceptance of me. I've never been a monster to her. In her eyes, I'm still the same little boy I was twenty years ago.
I'm beginning to understand that Dahlia never had that. I grew up in darkness, but she grew up with darkness. She grew up alone. My poor beauty.
"Here," Ma says, thrusting a pair of glasses into my hand. "Take these. They may help."
I haven't worn sunglasses to try to improve my vision in years. They never helped much, but I dutifully place them over my eyes anyway. The film over my vision lightens a shade, but not much. Not enough to be useful.
"Good luck." Ma squeezes my hands tightly.
I stride from the room, praying I find Dahlia. Praying she isn't trying to leave me.
Ah, God. She wouldn't, would she?
No.No.She isn't fucking leaving me. Whatever her father said, whatever she's upset about, I'll find a way to fix it.
As I stumble through the woods, I learn a new appreciation for my beauty and everything she's sacrificed to join me in the dark. How many times has she made this same journey through the trees, unable to see the path before her or the dangers lurking all around? Not too long ago, she allowed me to chase her through these woods without regard for her safety. And she did so willingly, eagerly.
While I've refused to step out of my comfort zone, she's raced out of hers, diving headfirst into my world without complaint. Pursuing her through the woods now, unable to see the world around me, I make a silent vow. No more hiding. No more living a half-life. No more staying frozen in time, clinging to the dark.
I'm giving my beauty the world. It's what she deserves. She'll have her dinners out and shopping malls. She'll have friends in town and trips to wherever her heart desires. Whatever she wants, I'll find a way to give her. She's sacrificed enough. She's given enough.
It's my turn now.
"Dahlia!" I bellow into the woods. "Beauty, where are you?"
I wait for a response, but none comes. Jesus. Where is she?
The last time I chased her through the woods, it was a wicked, carnal game. My future—and possibly her life—depends on me catching her this time.
I stop moving and close my eyes, letting my other senses guide me. They've never failed me before, but this time, the acrid stench of fear is too pungent, the sound of my own heartbeat too loud. I can't shut it off and focus.
I need to focus.
"Draven!" Her piercing scream tears through the forest as if ripped from her throat in pure terror.
