Lead Me Out of the Dark

Sparks Mean Fire, and Fire Means 2nd Degree Burns

I don’t know how many times Deck had tried speaking to me since he’d dragged me away from my mom. Probably more than a hundred. I screamed at him every time. I didn’t want to hear a word he had to say. I was rocking back and forth, trying to soothe myself. It wasn’t working. I felt guilty and grateful all at the same time. I felt guilty because I’d called my mom. I’d promised myself I’d never resort to that. I’d promised myself! I felt grateful because Deck had taken me away before I could’ve made a mistake by leaving with her. The emotions cancelled each other out, like they were eating each other inside of my stomach. I felt like I was breaking to pieces. Suddenly Deck came across the room, kneeling by the side of the bed. Thankfully, he didn’t try to touch me.

“You'll be the reason, I'll be uneven

You've got me on the edge to jump for you

You'll be my fire,

Call me a liar

We'll make mistakes the way we always do

When we both need each other these moments are priceless

And I'm starting to gather up my confidence, just for you

You'll be the reason, I'll be uneven

Covered in glass and lying on the floor

You'll be the brightest star in the sky

Sing me a song and tell me who it's for

You'll be the reason, I'll be uneven

You've got me on the edge to jump for you

You'll be the brightest star in the sky

We'll make mistakes the way we always do.

“Skye… you’re killing me. Just let me… just let me help,” He begged after he sang. It was a part of another Mayday Parade song. I think we were both becoming a little obsessed with them. His voice was absolutely gorgeous, and he sang the song better than the lead singer did. He waited there patiently, hesitantly, like he wasn’t sure if he had done the right thing or not. After several minutes had passed, he stood up, turning to walk out of the room.

“Deck!” I choked out immediately. That was all the invitation he needed. He leaned down and picked me up, tucking me against his chest and curling himself around me like a shield. His arms were the warmest place I’d ever known.

“Thank you, thank you thank you thank you,” Deck breathed. It sounded like he was praying under his breath. I cried into his chest for so long, I was positive an eternity had passed. I don’t know what made me give in to Deck. There was something about him that made me want to forgive him. I knew that he’d had a rough childhood, and his mother had meant everything to him. He blamed cocaine, and he couldn’t stand to lose me that way, too. His reaction had been horrible, but it was appropriate. It was a weird circumstance, and I knew that.

“Skye, don’t you ever leave me, you got that?” Deck ordered, his voice shaking. I knew exactly what he meant. Don’t go with your mother. Don’t run away. Don’t commit, because I’d be leaving him alone in the world. I nodded against his chest. I couldn’t leave him even if I wanted to. I was much too entangled with him now. I was in too deep, but this time, I wasn’t alone. The bottom of the ocean got a little less lonely.

I was running as fast as I could. Running so quickly that my lungs were aching, yet there was no escape. They were right behind me. I pushed against the ground in a desperate sprint. For some reason, I was thinking of Deck. I remembered one time; Brianna had told me if I was driving off of a cliff. She had described the entire situation, not realizing that she was bringing me to a new low. My mood sunk like a rock. Then she said ‘Quick! Who’s in the passenger seat!? Answer fast!’, and I’d said, ‘Deck,’ like it was the most natural answer in the world.