Hell Fire (Wild Fire: 2) (FINISHED)

20 - Disturbed

Ember stared down at Max as he lay on the bed beside her.

The TV was on, a ton of empty containers of Chinese food covering the tables around them, but she sat up on the bed, staring worriedly down at Max as he slept under her.

He'd been off the rest of the night, constantly asking her if she felt alright-if she was hurting or feeling sick-but she always had to assure him that she was fine, and he'd settle back into himself and continue watching the show.

And now... he was asleep next to her, huddled into a crappy motel pillow.

She didn't realize this was a king-sized room, but it was.

They were trapped in the same bed.

She smiled down at him while gently ruffling his hair. "So much for letting your guard down."

She then slid out of bed and stepped over to the bathroom, closing the door behind her and starting the fan and the shower.

After Ember peeled off her damp clothes, she climbed into the shower and stared up at the ceiling as the warm water beat onto her shoulders and chest.

Although the rain was fun, it always sucked afterwards because she'd freeze her butt off.

She subconsciously massaged soap into her shoulders and back, turning around so the water could wash it off, all while managing to scrub some shampoo and conditioner into her hair afterwards, and rinsed it, as well.

After she was warm enough, she stepped out from the shower and pulled a towel over herself.

She just leaned against the wall for a while, tipping her head back as the steam waved around her and entered her sinuses, clearing them.

But after she was ready, she peeled off the towel and tugged on Max's T-shirt that she stole, and then her underwear because it wasn't really wet anymore.

His shirt went down to her mid-thigh, anyway, so it was fine.

Right before she could let go of the straps of her panties, the door burst open, and Ember yelled out when Max came running in-not caring that she was still getting dressed-and pulled her into a tight hug.

Ember held her arms up for a moment, shocked. "Uhh... Max...?"

But a sudden uncertainty covered her when she felt him shaking, and his body was slick with sweat as if he'd been panicking.

He was worse than before... worse than last night.

Last night, he was shaking, but right now? He was whimpering, clutching onto her for dear life as if she'd fade away.

Why did this keep happening...?

"Don't... leave again..." he cried softly.

She blinked at the plead, staring down at him as he held onto her.

He'd told her this more than once over the last day... was it because she was always away from him, and he got worried?

Her lashes lowered.

Or did Elijah keep threatening him while she was away?

Yeah, that was probably it, but why was he still in contact with him? He was kind of asking for it at this point.

But she stared down at him, watching his terrified state, and she found herself wrapping an arm around him and holding his body to hers as she stepped out from the bathroom.

She still had no pants, and by the way he was holding her, the shirt was rising up to her hip, but she couldn't care less right now.

She guided them both into bed, knowing he wouldn't let go, and flicked off the lamp beside them as she nestled into his grasp.

"Don't go..." he whispered.

"It's okay," she promised. "I'm right here. I'm okay."

Something was wrong here.

Something was seriously wrong.