Hell Fire (Wild Fire: 2) (FINISHED)

41 - Don't Leave

Ember fell asleep in the shower, so Max had to briefly wake her up so she could get dressed without him looking, and when she was done, she tiredly called his name.

Max walked into the bathroom, finding her sitting on the floor, back resting against the wall as her eyes closed.

He stepped over to her, smiling softly as she remained in the same position, so he just lightly picked up her arm and guided it around his neck, lifting her up seconds later.

She turned her face into his new, dry T-shirt, loving the scent of his cologne that still lingered on him.

He then lay her down onto her bed, holding her legs up as he drew the covers out from under her, then returned to lay them on her relaxed form.

She curled up under the warmth of the blankets, letting him brush some damp hair behind her ear as he sat on the bed beside her.

"I'll be next door," he promised, making her lashes part. "If you need anything. Tell me. I'll know when you're in danger, I promise. You're safe."

He stood then, brushing nonexistent wrinkles off his jeans as he headed for the door.

"Wait."

He paused, gazing over at the bed to find Ember struggling to sit up.

She gazed up at him, eyes glimmering under the lighting. "Don't go."

"I'm not leaving you," he told her. "Just next door."

She shook her head. "Don't leave."

He just watched her. "Ember...."

"Stay." She drew the sheets back, gazing up at him. "Please, stay."

He sighed, stepping over to the bed and got in with her, and she immediately crawled over to him and set her head on his lap, curling up.

Max just watched her...

Her body was trembling, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears, her lips pulled in as if she were trying not to cry.

"You're scared," he noticed aloud.

She was silent.

He just closed off all senses and opened them to her thoughts.

They were tumbling through her mind, incoherent and maddened.

He was able to catch a little of them, though.

Elijah.

Nice.

It doesn't make sense.

What does he want from me? Is he going to kill me?

Will we ever be able to stop him?

Am I... going to die?

Max's lashes lowered when he noticed her curl up tighter at the last thought, but he continued reading her.

I'm scared...

I'm scared.

I've come so close so many times. I've been in denial all these months... I don't want to think of what's happening.

If I let myself feel... I'm scared all the emotions will make me go insane.

He sighed through his nose, pulling the blankets over her form as he patted her back. "Sit up, baby."

She opened her eyes, gazing up at him curiously.

"Sit up," he repeated.

She listened, pushing her arms to the bed as she sat, her brown hair slipping over her shoulders as she waited for him to say something else.

"Straddle my lap," he said then.

She listened, climbing onto him and staring into his eyes.

He ran his thumbs along her cheek bones, once more, watching her lashes fall, and he smiled.

"Let yourself feel," he told her, making her eyes open. "Let yourself."

Something odd crossed her expression, and she looked away, shaking her head.

"Cry," Max told her, moving her chin so she could focus back on him. "Cry right now."

She shook her head again.

He sighed, pulling her toward him until she collided with his chest, and he then pulled a blanket over her, looking behind her shoulder to make sure no one was in the room.

When he was in the clear, he started gently running his hand up and down her back.

"Either you cry," he told her, "or I force you to take your meds."

She was silent.

"I know you haven't been taking them, Ember," he stated. "Pick one."

"I'm fine..." she whispered.

Max kept his tone calm despite the anger rising inside him. "Do I need to force you?"

She shook her head again.

"Then choose. Meds or cry."

She was silent for a moment. "Meds...."

"Alright," he uttered, holding her to him as he opened her drawer and pulled out a singular med bottle of her Anxietatem Anti, shaking out two pills and grabbing a glass of water she left on the nightstand earlier. "Take these," he uttered, giving her the pills. "It'll help with the anger, too, Angel."

She closed her eyes and popped them in her mouth, gulping down water seconds later to help them go down.

"Tongue," Max said, making her gaze up.

She opened her mouth, knowing he was making sure she took them.

"Lift it," he instructed.

She listened.

"Show me your hands."

She opened her palms.

"Shake out your sleeves."

She shook them.

"Good," he praised, "now give me a-"

Before he could finish his sentence, she collapsed onto him, wrapping her arms tightly around his form as he smiled softly, continuing to rub her back.

He'd done this before, so she knew his last sentence would be:

Now give me a hug.

So, she did.

Max chuckled softly at her kindness. "If I told you that you're a good girl, would that be creepy?"

"Yes," she stated, smiling in his chest, "because I'm a bad girl now. And I blame you."

He chuckled softly, setting his cheek on her head.