24 Hours ago.....
'You know these stars reflect you and I, Flower'. Cory showed me the twin stars shining bright in the night sky. We were lying on the grass holding hands and staring up enjoying the view of the starry sky. This was our daily routine. We would always meet up at 12:00 at night to talk. My father is the mafia of one of the largest underground gangs in U.S.A, so he was really protective of me, no one even dared to look me in the eye.
But Cory was different, he was challenging. He was one of dad's closest workers and as soon as I saw those ocean blue eyes, something triggered inside me. My heart melted at his kindness. My ears yearned to listen to his voice repeatedly. My eyes longed to see it's reflection in his own. My face always lit up at the thought of him. With each day that passed, my affection for him grew more and more. And finally I did tell him my endless love and that's a long story. Coming back to the present, like I said before, we were gazing up at the night sky.
'You look so handsome under the night sky Darling'. I complimented rolling to the side and ruffling his hair. He gave his sly smile and placed a kiss on my forehead. 'I love you'. He said. 'I love you to the moon and back, my Prince'. I smiled back.
'It's funny to think back the old days. The way we met....' I trailed off. 'Yeah, I still remember the times you used to pester me'. He laughed out loud. I smacked on his shoulder. 'You still love me though'. I pouted. He nodded his head as he took me in his arms. I laid there enjoying the silence between us. It was so calm and serene, the twinkling stars above, the big, round moon so bright, me in the arms of my Prince, I felt like I was dreaming.
I could hear the nightingale singing the song of Love in the nearby tree, the crickets happily cricketing their way home and frogs croaking in our pond. I could see the butterflies their wings and flying away, fireflies giving us the light in the darkness. I was enjoying the beautiful view. I felt like I was seeing the whole world, me, Mother Nature, Cory. It was the happiest night of my life. He caught a firefly in his hands.
'Look what I've caught'. He whispered in my ear, showing his closed fist. I could see the small space in which the firefly was roaming around.
'That firefly is you in my life, Flower. You keep me out of the wicked world.' He said opening his hands to let it fly away. I smiled at his thought.
'I love you my Prince.' I said ruffling his hair. 'It's time to go, Flower.' He said looking at me with sadness in his ocean blue eyes. I sighed not knowing what to reply. This was our daily routine. Night time was the only time we could see each other. At daytime, we don't even glance at each other. We're strangers. Now that we had to separate, my heart broke into million pieces. Tears welled up and I blinked back, turning my head the other way. He placed his hands on either side of my face and turned me to face him. 'Flower, please don't cry. I'm always here for you.' He said embracing me. I placed my head on his chest and stayed that way for a few moments.
It was time for us to go, so I removed myself from his hug and walked away without turning back. I couldn't make myself to see his face anymore.
The next morning I woke to the singing voices of the birds. I got out of bed and drank my morning coffee that was kept on the bedside table. Just as I was about to keep the mug back, the door swung open and Mrs.Blair rushed in with a death look on her face. 'What's the matter Blair?' I asked starting to get panicked.
'You dad found out about Cory and you dear. You have to get out of here. Your father is searching for you everywhere.' She said trying her maximum to pack a bag. I became silent, unable to speak.
'Darling, what're you standing for? You have to go.' She said shoving me a bag. 'You have all the things you need in here.' She said hugging me. Hot tears fell from my eyes as I clutched onto her.
'Where's Cory?' My voice came out as a whisper. 'I sent him last night. I don't know where he is, he hasn't taken his phone with him. You have to go now. If both of you are safe, you can find your way.' She said urging me to run. I quickly took my phone and the backpack and started my journey.
It was practically walking into a death trap. I was panicked, my heart beating faster against my rib cage. My eyes started to sting from the amount of tears I shed. My legs were hurting as they took me to random directions. Where would Cory be?
Where?
Where?
My mind thought of all the possible places he would be. I sat under a tree to think for a few minutes. And then it clicked. He would be at the waterfall cave. Our secret place. I got up and made my run to it. It was just a few minutes walk from home so it wouldn't take long. Adrenaline pushed through me as I sped to the cave. I hope my Cory is safe there.
My phone rang in the pocket. I looked at caller ID. It was my father. I answered it with shivering hands. And as soon as I answered, I heard Cory's cry. My heart stopped for a second. What happened to him? 'Cory?' I called out, my voice croaking. And then I heard another cry. I screamed afraid of what had happened to Cory.
'He's at the cave, daughter. You made the biggest mistake of your life sweetheart. Look where it got you. Boys who just glanced at you are blind today.' I heard another cry from Cory as my father spoke. 'This guy dared to fall in love with you.' And then he ended the call.
I ran to the cave and by the time I reached no one was in sight except my Cory. He was tied to our memories pole with a knife in his stomach. His head hung low, his long, brown hair, which I ruffled last night covering his face. His wrists were red from the rope marks. I immediately rushed to him and took his face in my hands. 'Cory, my Prince, please open your eyes, love.' I whispered trying to shake him awake. But he was still as a statue.
'Cory......' I whispered as I laid my forehead on his. 'Flower...' I heard a whisper. I opened my eyes and looked into his own sea.
His eyes met mine, opening the windows of my soul and watching far beyond. I touched his face and wiped away his tears. 'I love you, my Prince.' I said continuing to caress his face. 'I love you infinity, Flower.' He said trying his best to give a peck on my forehead.
I reached up to the place where the knife was stuck and pulled it out slowly. He winced. Even that wince made my heart break. I closed my eyes and let the tears flow. Finally, after a long try, I pulled it out. The blood on the knife made me almost faint. But I gained conscious. I looked at him and smiled sadly and he gave me his signature sly smile.
I looked down at my stomach and the knife in my hand. Just as I was about to stab, Cory caught my hand. 'Cory let it go.' I said giving him a death stare. 'No Flower, you have to live. Mary a guy and have children. Like we discussed, a boy and a girl.' He winked at me.
'Don't be funny, dude.' I mocked a laugh.
'You're cute when you're angry.' He said. I couldn't take in his compliments anymore. It hurt more and more.
So I slowly placed my lips in his. Our salty tears got mixed up as we poured our raw emotions into our kiss. I slowly felt for his hands and stabbed the knife into my stomach.
With that, our lips separated sucking in our feelings. Our eyes met with pure sadness. Maybe, this was our fate. I untied his hands and he embraced me. I wrapped my arms around him and we fell to the ground.
'I love you, Flower.' He said smiling.
'I love you to the moon and back, my Prince.' I said as we closed our eyes.
May we meet again.
