The Marked

Broken

Once I got over the general irony of the situation I urged him to switch back. I was eager to talk to him about the kiss we had in the cave. I had so many questions for him. I felt my head was going to explode with unanswered questions.

Yet still he swam around, seemingly content with staying a dolphin. I urged him again to please switch back. He surfaced and proceeded to smack the water with his nose.

Water splashed up onto my cheek and into my eye causing me to squint. His nose was jutting in the direction of the beach and I noticed then that his clothes were on the shore. He couldn't change while I was right beside him.

I never moved faster through the water. The second my feet touched the sand I sprinted to the trees. The huge pines eagerly swallowed me and I ran until I couldn't see the beach but I still knew which direction it was in. I rested my hand on the bark of a nearby tree. A piece of it crumbled under the weight of my hand and tumbled to the ground. I watched it fall as if in slow motion. It spiraled until it finally landed with a muffled thud atop the leaves.

Nature was a beautiful thing. It mystified and compelled me. Holding in the secrets to it's sheer beauty and splendor. Like how leaves changed colors and how birds could fly with tiny things called wings. I wished so badly that I could fly. To just sprout wings and soar away. Leaving all of my problems far behind me as I climbed higher and higher into the blue abyss. Spiraling out of control until-

I never got to finish my thought. I turned around to face Derek and he dropped his hand from my shoulder as if I'd burned him. I started to talk but he interrupted me before I could say a word.

"Look I know what you want to talk about but there's nothing to talk about." he said as he spun around and walked deeper into the forest.

I stood there for a while with my mouth agape. Anger welled up inside me. What did he mean there's nothing to talk about? I thought to myself as I stormed after him. He can't just kiss me and then walk off and never speak of it again. Well, he could, but it wouldn't be fair.

I finally caught up with him by a stream where the sun was visible. He stood against a tree with his back to me. The muscles on his arms flexed as he crossed his arms.

Derek cleared his throat. "You're going to keep following me until I tell you aren't you?" He asked annoyed.

I frowned and nodded, I didn't like the way he was treating me. I had a right to know why he'd kissed me and he was acting like I had no right at all. He was acting like a downright jerk and I didn't like this side of him.

He blew out a frustrated sigh. "You won't like my answer." I watched his shoulders tense up as he anticipated what he knew I would say next.

"Whether or not that is true it's still my right to know. Please Derek, I need answers." I pleaded with him.

He turned around and looked into my eyes with a look of indifference. "The kiss didn't mean anything to me."

I felt tears sting my eyes. How can it have meant nothing to him? He kept going. "Don't you understand? The snow was piling up so high that it would shatter this world you've created. You obviously couldn't stop it consciously, you didn't know how. So I kissed you so you would do it subconsciously." He said, his voice bitter. My heart felt as if he had just stabbed me. I wanted so badly to believe that he was lying but in my head I knew his words to be true. But he needed to twist the knife deeper. "I kissed you so you would feel happy enough to melt the snow. I kissed you and felt nothing while you, felt everything."

My feet now hurt almost as much as my heart. Tears fell down my face and I cried out into the fading sunlight. The trees were no longer beautiful and reached to enclose me. I wasn't aware that I was running or that I had no destination all that I cared about was the pain. It was so heavy as it bared down on every fiber of my being.

Why was I so stupid?

Why did I have to be so sensitive?

Why-?

I stumbled and steadied myself on a tree, my palm scraping the tree trunk. I faintly heard the sound of heavy footfall behind me through my heavy breathing. I looked up and saw a path that I didn't recognize. I'd spent most of my time on this island exploring and I don't recall ever seeing this before.

I glanced behind me. I heard the footfall getting closer but I didn't see anyone through the thick green vines and foliage. I hesitated for a split second before turning back around and running up the path.

It had smooth flat gray stones that led up to a cliff overlooking the water. My feet slipped on the slick stones and I came close to falling several times. I would have fallen if I wasn't determined to reach the top. Thoughts swam in my head as I picked my way to the top.

I'm such a fool,

I should have known it was a lie.

I'm done with him.

I'm done with this Mark.

I'm done with the rebel group.

I'm done with this world.

I reached the top of the mountain and I didn't even pause to listen to the heavy footfall behind me. I only paused when Jenna, Josh, and Will's faces flashed in my mind. My friends who I'd been torn away from. The only good things in my life. My only reasons for living. The tears blurred my vision for a moment until I brushed them from my eyes. I'd miss them so much. I took a shaky breath as I walked to the edge and began to pace.

What did I do now? Derek lied to me and made me look like a fool for thinking that he actually cared about me.

Reminded me of Luke now that I think about it. Why was my taste in boys so terrible?

As I pondered the thoughts racing in my head, being the clumsy fool I am, I slipped.

and I tumbled off the edge.

Please don't fret over the cliff hanger. This is not the end, not by a long shot. I promise.

I would like to apologize for my long period away from writing. I have been distracted lately but now I'm back and (dare I say) better than ever. I hope you'll continue reading and enjoying my story. Please comment, I would love to know y'all's (sorry if that's not a word) opinion.

Thanks! :)

Sincerely,
The Midnight Writer