The True Partizan - 4

I Missed You - Part 8

Waking the second time is stranger.

You're no longer in a chair, but on a bed. The sheets are silk, your body sinks into the mattress, your hands are still tied.

You sit up abruptly, eyes wide and frantic.

You're in a new room, in a different country.

The Leviathan safe house.

It's empty. The bed is opposite a large window overlooking the snowy Maravish landscape, there's a wardrobe on one wall -likely empty- and a desk with a discoloured circle where a lamp used to be.

You realise you must have been out for a long time, because it's no longer day, and the moon shines brightly in the clear sky.

You cross your legs, feeling the fear racing through your blood, pumping your heart rapidly and erratically.

You regret everything.

Why did I stay? I should've thought this through. I could get seriously hurt. Jamie could get seriously hurt. I've ruined everything. I don't even know half of the plan for the Flower Festival. I won't even be at the flower festival. I'm stupid. I've risked other's safety for myself. I thought it was good to stay with him but he didn't want me to. Now I'm trapped.

Your breathing escapes in irregular gasps, your heart pumping faster and faster. You can't breathe, it's too much, you gasp for air but it won't come. Panic.

The door opens.

Jamie's there, he looks angry until he sees the state you're in, and his face falls, "Y/n."

He's immediately at your side, a hand on your shoulder as he kneels before you.

"I-" you gasp for air, "I c-can't breathe."

He pulls you to his chest, a hand behind your head. "It's okay. Close your eyes."

You lean into him, trembling in his arms. You close your eyes and do as he says, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. You wish you could break free from the coarse rope binding your wrists so you could hold him back.

Gradually, your breathing steadies, your heart-rate matching his. You relax into his arms, wanting to cry again, but don't.

He kisses the crown of your head, then slowly pulls out of the hug, noticing your tied hands. His eyes narrow.

"I told them not to do that." Jamie growls, untying the rope and carelessly discarding it to the floor.

You rub your wrists, bowing your head. "What are we going to do?"

He drops his head to your shoulder, "I don't know."

"I'm so tired Jamie."

He sighs, entwining his fingers with yours, "I know. But at the flower festival, we'll find the others, me and Haru will come up with a plan. With their help, we'll work it out, we always do."

"We always do." You echo, fiddling with a strand of his hair. Jamie makes you feel safer than any other person ever could. Even when you're trapped in a bare room by a man who will cause your imminent doom, Jamie's still there.

"Why didn't you go?"

"You know why."

He falls sideways and collapses back onto the bed, rubbing his eyes.

You stare at his hair, flopping backwards. It's so fluffy.

"Jamie I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise."