Estelle

14 | Hiding

I didn't realize what I had done until I booked the flight and loaded the plane. I had hoped to never do it but my tired and defeated mind took me to where I am now.

The road is long and gravel with dense Russian wilderness on either side. Not too far along the driveway, I come to a small cabin. The shutters and door is closed tight and the dark wood gives off an eerie appearance.

I guess I still didn't want to go back to America. I am too much of a coward to face Accelius so I have decided to isolate myself for the rest of my life in this remote cabin. That is my punishment. I cannot be found by Accelius and no one can be hurt with me around. He won't gain anything from hurting them because I won't even be around to know. He has no power over me here.

So long as I don't speak to anyone, don't form any bonds or friendships, everyone will be safe from me. Even if he does drag me back to hell, no one else will come down with me.

I get out of the truck and use the old bent key to wrestle the old door open. The cabin smells of musty carpet and dust. I bought this small thing after saving up enough money shortly after I moved to Italy. I was going to sell it, convinced that I didn't need it anymore.

That was until he came back.

I place my bag on the old couch and flip on the old lamps that struggle to emit light in the darkness. Wind howls outside the thin walls of the cabin. Entering the bedroom, I find old sheets which I take off the bed and shake out outside. They will have to do it for now.

When I bought the place, I took a trip here over the weekend to stock up. But it has been almost a year and now dust has collected.

Dropping lazily in bed, I stare up at the ceiling. I had cried my heart out earlier and now I have nothing left in me. Every part of me is exhausted and I feel drained from any emotion. I know they will be worried about me but eventually they will move on. They will forget about me and their lives will go back to how it was before me.

I feel a stabbing in my heart as I think about Adonis. Will he close those blinds again and keep himself in the dark as he works? Will someone talk to him and make sure he eats real food instead of takeout?

Will he miss me?

A strong part of me knows I am an idiot for thinking that. Everything he has done has proven that he will miss me terribly. But I have to start convincing myself that he won't or I will just cry every night.

I have to let myself go numb.

I hadn't even realized I fell asleep until a thump woke me up. I groan in my sleep and roll over, feeling the pain of falling asleep in my jeans and on top of the quilt.

Another thump. My heart stops.

I listen closely, holding my breath. It sounds like someone is walking around on the porch. I sit up and my mind races.

He couldn't have found me. It must be some crazy person who found this cabin. I'm terrified either way. If it is a man, no matter who it is, I won't stand a chance against them without the gun which I stupidly left in my bag in the living room.

I slowly slide off my bed and walk to the door. The hallway is a straight shot to the cabin door so when I look out the room, I can see a shadow in front of it.

Instead of seeing the outline of someone on the porch, I see the shape of a person standing in the open doorway. My heart freezes and I suck in a breath.

Thundering footsteps head towards me and I try to slam the bedroom door shut. The figure pushes the door open on me and I fly back onto the bed screaming. I feel a hand grab my wrist and I swing my legs at him.

"Jane."

I freeze in my place. I shakily open my eyes and see the shadow reach across the room and pull the lamp shade. Light fills the room and my eyes have to adjust to it. Once they do, I recognize who is gently holding my wrist.

"Adonis?" I choke out his name.

His eyes look panicked and concerned. He looks over my body for any injuries. "What happened, Jane?" I have never seen him look so worried.

I don't know what to say. I feel like I am speechless for the first time in my life. The words are just gone.

Before I can think of words to say, he pulls me to him and wraps his arms around me. I feel him holding me tightly as if he had just been through a nightmare. His face is buried in my hair and our bodies flushed together.

My mind snaps to life and I instantly cling to him. I thought I wouldn't see him again and it isn't until I smell his scent and feel his warmth again that I realize just how impossible it would have been to be without him.

I surely would have died alone.

[Adonis]

She is perfect in every way. I never thought I could find happiness but this woman is what I have never had.

She speaks to me how no one else ever has. She seems to match me in everything. Three months of her working for me is all that it took for my feelings to start. I have been keeping it to myself for 9 months and never planned to tell her.

I wanted her to have a safe and normal life. My past haunts me and she will surely be dragged into the life she ran from.

Over these past 9 months I have only grown more obsessed with her. I noticed Accelius had found her and I did everything I had to. I even stayed outside of her place making sure no one would hurt her.

I tried to tell Accelius to leave but he shot me in a fit of rage. The only person I wanted to see and let help me was her and I was selfish enough to call her.

Now as I am holding her in my arms, I cannot think of anything but her. When she left and it became clear that Accelius did not have her, I knew she fled. I had someone find her location and luckily they spotted her jumping into the cab.

I will hate to have to tell her that she isn't very good at being sneaky. However, I'm happy that she isn't because I was able to follow her to Russia.

I should have let her go like I told her. I wanted her to leave so I wouldn't get her hurt. But the moment she left, I couldn't help myself. It was like the world was ending and I had to run to her to stay alive. She is my safe haven.

I'm selfish as hell. I can't seem to let her go. Not in life and not in my arms right now. Her small body in my hold shakes with sobs and I can't help but hold her closer.

I need her. I can't live without her.