𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

𝟓𝟖 | 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐭

I wordlessly released a spare air and I clenched the weapon stiffly. I attempted to fight off a shiver, which dominated my whole body. I had a need for staying courageous, but something deep within me rebelled assertively. Part of me craved to curl up in a corner and give up in hands of the destiny.

„Don't be a coward," my father's stoic expression on his face used to tell me. His unlighted eyes watched me from above with total contempt. It seemed like they denied the fact, that they gave a person standing in front of their life.

„My sweet girl, you cannot give up," my mother cheered me up. Her smooth hands devoted me to a few warmhearted touches. „Not now, when you've come so far."

...you have come so far.

Really, mom? Did we really get away from that point? Did we find out something new? Because I feel like we're still aimlessly wandering through the darkened labyrinth and the more we try to find out, the more we tangle into a net of unanswered questions and mysteries.

From the moment I left my hometown, I haven't uncovered anything. Only the fact, that my mother has been kidnapped by an organization, which Leo used to work for. And when I finally got closer to her, our meeting was ruined by a blast that unknown people inflicted and took her away from me again. I have nothing. There is no guarantee Beatrice is still alive. Too many questions were hanging in the air. As a matter of fact, why do these men hold the key to her home?

And then there is this thing with father and USB flash. I suppose I know, where Lucifer keeps it, but I have no clue what is that consequential about it. There is still a lot I don't know about.

„Nothing will happen to you. You are going to be alright," I reminded Otto's words. Sheer desperation runs through me. My facial expression apparently reflected my thoughts, because Leo got onto me. The only difference was, that he was the only one present at that moment and he wasn't a creation of my imagination.

„Ria, I have no idea, what is going on in your head right now, but understand, that we are gonna make it," he declared fierily.

How can he stay that self-confident in such a situation? How can we be sure, that both of us will make it?

I shook my head dubiously and I lost balance while standing. I started to feel I was losing solid ground under my feet. I run fingers through my hair and I pulled them forcefully. Leo came to me in a fraction of a second. He took me into his arms and with his warm palm stroked my stiff back. His presence hit me like an arrow full of medicine. I was passed through a wave of tranquility which allowed me to unwind.

„We have to go," he whispered into my ear. I nodded my head. Even though I was able to hear every single word coming from his mouth, I didn't move. On the contrary, I burrowed deeper into his softhearted palms and his strong arms resembled a shelter. I closed my eyelids and I pictured myself and Leo floating in an empty void. Nothing, just the two of us, holding each other, united together with an invisible bond.

My head was laid on Leo's chest. I swore I could hear his heart beating through a layer of cotton clothes. His heart beat slowly, steadily, and calmly. The rhythmic beating was everything, I needed at that moment. I breathed in the smell of his t-shirt. It smelled like a cheap soap from a motel, a little bit of vanilla, and a smell of blood mixed with sweat. There was also something, which I couldn't describe, but I know, that it drove me crazy.

Why is it, that my feelings for Leo changed?

The idea, of me being willing to risk for him so much, scared me. I was afraid, because the more you got attached to a person, the more you suffer when they hurt you. Or if something bad, perish the though, happen to them.