Light In My Darkness

40

He was here, right before me looking at me with disappointed, dejected eyes.

My hand slides off from Liam's shoulder, I turn around standing straight staring into his eyes, he looked back with the same intensity without blinking.

It was as if time froze for us, giving us more time to feel the heat between us.

I brought my hand forward tracing my way from his arms to his face, he was real, he is here.

The intense yearning for him was overwhelming.

"I-Ian," I called out.

I flinched a little when he adjusted his hold around my hand.

"Didn't expect me here, isn't it, Raine," He replied sarcastically.

"Yes, I mean no," I blurt out, my brain wasn't doing the job for me.

"Of course, you wouldn't have," Another dose of sarcasm was thrown towards me.

I swallow hard not answering him, I looked back at Liam, who was still on the ground, but I could see his back moving up and down while he sobbed clutching the wet mud.

Ian held my chin turning me towards him, "Look at me," I meet his gaze.

"Come with me, Raine, let's go home," He said softly.

"We can't leave him alone, Ian, he needs someone," I said pointing at Liam.

"Why do you care so much, Raine? Why do you care so much about everyone? His parents didn't, his friends didn't, then why do you? Is it the love that you had for him once? Are you feeling for him again, Raine?" His words were like swords thrown towards me that sliced my heart.

"How could you say such things, Ian?" I say hurt by what he said.

"I know neither his parents nor his friends are here, but that doesn't mean I should abandon him too, I know him very well, his friends, his mom, and dad have no power over him but maybe I can convince him to come with me, maybe I can help him, he needs that,"

He closes his eyes taking a few deep breaths.

"I came here for you and there's no way in hell that I'm leaving you under this fucking weather, in a fucking cemetery. Your coming with me," He said, dragging me with him.

I looked back at Liam and then at Ian whose back was facing me.

What do I do? What do I do?

I remembered what Nana used to tell me.

Never abandon someone who needs help, especially if you are in a position to ease their pain.

An indescribable urge to help Liam surged through me.

I took hold of Ian's wrist and stopped him, he glanced at my hand and looked at me asking me not to do what I was about to do with his eyes.

I slowly plucked his hands that were holding me, his hands flew back to their place, he just stood there like a stone not moving or saying anything.

I took a deep breath preparing myself.

"Ian I know you've come here for me but I-I cannot leave him alone, I can never abandon someone who needs help, that's what my nana thought me, I will never do what my parents did to me, he needs a hand to stand back, and I will be there for him as a friend, I will fulfil my promise to Eloise."

The heavy wind blew up the umbrella that he was holding, it rolled over multiple times hitting the headstones and exposing us to the rain.

I glanced at Liam and then at Ian whose firm gaze was fixed on me.