What Once Was

A Question

"Skylar, wait up."

I walked faster in the rain towards the bus stop, ignoring his voice behind me. I had just left the diner after my evening shift, and I was longing for a shower and my bed.

"Skylar."

Dang it. He caught up to me.

"What do you want? I told you to leave me alon—"

"It's not about you, anymore Skylar."

His voice took on a dark and more serious tone. A chill ran up my spine, and I was suddenly very aware that I was in the dark, rainy evening on some deserted street with him, alone. I stopped walking and spun around to face him.

"Hurry up and talk then."

I knew what he was capable of, and again, I felt a resentment and then a kind of regret at the same time. I glared at him with as much ferocity as I could muster. He grinned, a lopsided, terrifying grin.

"You're still trying with that tough girl act of yours."

His voice was low and menacing. I glared into his distant blue eyes and gritted my teeth. He made me so angry, but I knew it would be foolish to challenge him now.

"I have a question for you, Skylar."

He leered slightly to one side, and I felt a pang of motherly concern that I forced myself to shake off. I knew about his mental health issues, but what I hated was that I still cared about him. I hated that I both regretted and missed what we had once had. He steadied himself and sighed before continuing.

"Did you ever love me?

My heart seemed to speed up and then drop down to my feet. I swallowed hard; my thoughts were going so fast that I couldn't decipher any of them. Alec watched my expression and tried to read my response. I knew this is what he wanted; I knew I was in the palm of his manipulative hand.

"At one point I did."

I answered honestly and simply. He shifted and smiled wider, before resuming his sarcastic and annoying grin.

"Look, we're done, Alec. The last thing I want is to go bac—"

"—Shut up."

He hissed. I knew this side of him. I knew his mental issues. I knew how he flipped flopped when it came to personality and the way he treated others, especially me. I steeled myself against his rage and willed myself not to tremble.

"I make the rules, remember?"

I didn't budge. He grabbed me by the arm and pushed against the wall of one of the deserted brick buildings that lined this street.

"Alec!"

I was angry now. His eyes flashed before he smiled sarcastically again.

"I'll see you soon Skylar. I have much more to ask you, I just... can't remember right now."

His head tilted slightly as he finished his sentence. He turned and walked back the way he came, becoming lost in the darkness and the rain. I stood against the brick wall, my heart hammering and my body shaking. The only thing my brain was thinking as I stared in the direction he came from, was, "That man is insane."

What Once Was –  copyright by Sakiya Alex / Kijuro  ©️ 2024 all rights reserved – Tapas & Wattpad