She

30| The Cabin

M A L A C H A I D E A V Y

We were stuck in a traffic jam so I pull out a book I've been reading.

Andrew was sleeping, his snoring was getting rather unbearable if i'm honest.

I'm near the end of a book which was recommended to me by Valerie at the beginning of this week, she had borrowed me her copy of The Song of Achilles and I must say I am rather pissed at this fucking Agamemnon for refusing to do the right thing. I would have most certainly killed the man if I was there during the time.

Turning the page over, I hear a light whimper.

I look over at Lilith, her cheeks now splotched with streaks of tears. A frown plasters across that delicate skin of hers, and her brows are set in a deep furrow.

I observe for a while, until she begins muttering a name. It was within the first time that I make out  what name it was: Abel.
It seems as though this man is always on her mind.
I don't like it one bit.

"Fuck!" She gasps, her chest heavy and breathing quick. She takes a second's worth of a glance to recognise her surroundings and visually release some tension from her shoulders.

"Fucking hell." I mumble, watching her.

After a short moment she releases a shaky breath, collecting herself.

A minute or so passes and if I knew better, I wouldn't ask but I don't so... "Abel?" I question, looking at the back of her head whilst she stares out the window at her side.

I wasn't able to read her eyes, her expressions, she was hiding behind the shield her luscious hair was providing. Her lips caught my eye first, they were bruised, almost bleeding and frowning, as if she had been biting down on them to ensure no sound escaped.

My eyes lingered on her soaked cheeks, red from the tears that had stained them.
It wasn't just a nightmare; it was something she had experienced.
I know first hand what it looks like.

"Malachai, stop." She snips. "Who's Abel?" I ask once more and her eyes snap shut, wincing at the name.

There's a moment of tension, the name floating in the air between us.
"A boy." She mutters, which was a start, but I wanted more. "A boy....?" A boy you fell in love with; a boy you killed for.
A boy.

"I can't." She breathes as if to not awaken the sea of emotions in her head.
Something unexpected happens, she starts smiling, sniffling then laughing anxiously at herself.
It reminded me of my mother.
She had her bad days, but she'd cover it up with a weak attempt at a smile.

Val honked from behind, letting me know that the traffic had begun moving.

My jaw clenches, feeling our moment has been stolen away as I let go of her eyes and begin switching lanes to drive off the highway.
I then receive a call from the group chat and answer on the car bluetooth. "It should be down this road." Kendrick mutters and I peer over at Lilith to see her staring out the window aimlessly.

Thick woods were surrounding us as I slowly drove down the slim, bumpy road, driving up to a medium sized wooden hut.

"Home sweet home, eh?" Kendrick chuckles and I stop the car in front of the building.