"Not Luca my love," I watched in horror as his face began melting away until all that was left was the face of a man that had been haunting my nightmares ever since I was cursed, "Don't tell me you still don't recognize me."
"Anthony," I mumbled breathlessly.
I sat there frozen in fear not knowing what to do. The only question running through my mind was how did he get into the school? After the argument, I had with Aunt Lily last night I assumed that he wouldn't be able to enter onto school grounds.
My chest began to tighten as I clutched onto the blanket beneath me. I attempted to keep myself steady but I could help but tremble in fear. This man was the reason I hid for all those years and the reason why I lost everyone I ever cared about. I wanted to say something but the words didn't come out, I felt hopeless and I hated it.
He cleared his throat, leaning forward, "Did you really think you could hide from me?" His voice was above a whisper sending chills down my spine, "You and your Aunt aren't as smart as you think you are," Anthony reached for my face, cupping my cheek as I clenched my jaw and looked away, "I've known exactly where you were this entire time, but I stayed away because I know how you feel about me and-"
"Why are you here Anthony? Haven't you hurt me enough?" I barely got the words out.
Anthony scoffed, "When have I ever hurt you, Belle?"
I looked at him with narrowed eyes. Maybe he thought I was stupid enough to forget everything he had done to me.
Taking in a deep I cautiously began looking around, trying to see where I could go that he wouldn't be able to follow. I didn't want to go back down the path I came through, that would be too simple. If I was going to get away I needed to get away.
"Please, talk to me." Anthony dropped his voice an octave lower. Hearing his voice after such a long time felt so bittersweet. Bitter because of how much disdain I had for him and sweet because whether I liked it or not it reminded me of a time I missed.
Instead of answering him, I sat there in complete silence, my body as stiff as a board. So many things were running through my mind, and that, mixed with the flow of emotions running amuck within me wasn't a good combination in the slightest.
It felt as if hours had passed but I know it had only been about two minutes, I contemplated just getting up and running away but I knew Anthony too well. He wouldn't let me get away, not again.
Anthony cleared his throat causing my breathing to hitch, "I know you think I'm the devil but I can assure you that I am not." he placed one hand on mine, "Everything I did was to keep you safe, I just thought you would have realized all that by now."
I could feel my blood begin to boil. 'Everything I did was to keep you safe' that statement made me furious. After everything he has done, he thinks he had the right to be self-righteous.
There was no way I could hold myself together any longer. I shouldn't have to hold myself together. I could feel every single emotion within me ready to jump out and tear him to pieces.
"Why would you do this to me?" My voice cracked at the sudden increase of volume, "Why would you do it all, and then show up here to torment me?" My face was on fire, my body was shaking and as much as I wanted to stand tall I couldn't.
He looked at me in complete shock.
This only made me angrier, "Why?!" I could feel the strength coming back into my voice. I couldn't run away now. I wanted to face the man that I wasted decades of my life running from. He could destroy me with one fell swoop and yet he just sat there.
