Bound by Shadows

31

I had lost track of the days we had spent in Los Angeles. I had the courtesy to text Zavian, letting him know that our stay was longer than anticipated. Caelus had some last-minute plans to inspect his legal company, an asset management firm. He wanted out of the dirty business, but it was taking time. He was working on it.

Today, Caelus came home early, and he was driving us somewhere with a Range Rover full of security trailing behind us. The extra protection was always reassuring.

"You look exceptional," I broke the silence, rubbing his arm. His one hand gripped the steering wheel, his biceps bulging and veins prominent. I had managed to get him to wear some color for a change, and both of us were dressed in a sage green theme today. He wore a green polo shirt and beige pants, while I wore a sundress in the same color, my hair tied up.

Caelus usually wore dark, somber clothes, so it was a small victory to see him in something bright for once. He glanced at me, then took my hand and brought it to his lips, his eyes still on the road behind his sunglasses.

He drove slowly and carefully, maneuvering around every bump and pothole with meticulous attention. A small, warm smile played on his lips, and his silence was comforting. After a few moments of this tranquil silence, he eased the car into the parking lot of an orphanage and parked neatly in one of the spaces. He then turned to look at me, his eyes soft but unreadable.

"We're here," he said quietly, his voice a gentle murmur. A small but noticeable smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

"What are we doing here?" I asked, confusion evident in my tone.

His smile widened just a fraction, and his shoulders seemed to relax at my question. He nodded once, a silent assurance, and then unbuckled my seatbelt as well.

"You'll see," he said softly before opening his door and stepping out. He walked around the car and waited by my door, holding it open with a patient air. I stepped out, taking his offered hand, and we both heard the sounds of children laughing and playing in the distance.

As we approached the building's entrance, Caelus shook hands with an elderly lady who greeted us warmly.

"Mr. Hudson, Mrs. Hudson, so happy to see both of you again," she said, extending her hand to me as well. I felt a pang of guilt for not recognizing her but managed a polite smile.

"We are both delighted to be here," I replied, trying to mask my uncertainty.

Just then, Caelus's men from the Range Rover entered the building, carrying bags full of toys. Some children peeked through the door, their faces lighting up with excitement.

"Zanya!" three of them—two girls and a boy, around the age of six—rushed towards me. I was momentarily overwhelmed as they hugged me tightly, unsure how to react.

"I told you guys not to do that," the elderly lady warned, trying to pull them away, but they clung to me stubbornly.

I shook my head and smiled. "It's alright," I said, bending down to their level. I tried to remember their faces but couldn't summon any memories. Still, I hugged them back, their persistence endearing.

"We'll take it from here, Ms. Bell," Caelus reassured her. She nodded and moved on to tend to the other children.

"Aren't you guys going to hug me too?" Caelus asked, his arms open. The three children immediately shifted their attention to him, wrapping themselves around his legs and looking up at him with adoration while he patted their backs.

"We missed you," the boy pouted, his bottom lip jutting out dramatically. "Why haven't you visited us?"

Caelus ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "I've been busy with work," he explained, his tone gentle and sincere. "But I'm here now, George. And look at you, you've grown taller."

"Only George? What about us?" one of the girls piped up, her voice full of playful jealousy.

His eyes crinkled at the corners. "Lara, Maisie," he said, bending down to their height. "Both of you have become even more beautiful, like princesses."

Watching this interaction, my heart melted. Caelus wasn't typically one to show much emotion, but the children clung to him, their adoration noticeable. It was clear he had a soft spot for them as they did for him.

Lara, the one with pigtails, tugged on my dress. "Play with us," she pleaded, her wide eyes hopeful. Maisie, echoing her friend's sentiment, also tugged on my dress, her small fingers gripping the fabric tightly.

We moved over to the bleachers, where the girls and I played with dolls and braided each other's hair. Caelus, meanwhile, was out in the field, running around with the other children. Watching him, it jogged a memory of a dream I once had, seeing him run around with children, carefree and happy.

"Caelus looks like Flynn Rider," Lara said, her voice high-pitched and full of admiration. Her blue eyes shone with excitement as she propped her head on her hands, watching him intently.

"No, he looks more like Bruce Wayne from Batman, but with a beard," Maisie added, her voice soft but decisive. I turned to look at her, noticing her eyes fixed on Caelus with a dreamy expression. "You should tell him to shave," she suggested, her face scrunched up in a mix of seriousness and childish disdain, her brown curls bouncing as she spoke.

"But I really like his stubble. He looks way more striking that way," I replied, my voice light and teasing. The girls made exaggerated faces of disgust, their noses wrinkling in unison.

"Eww!" they chorused, giggling uncontrollably. I laughed with them, enjoying the light-hearted moment.

As we played, I couldn't help but steal glances at Caelus. He was running around with the children, his movements graceful and athletic. His deep laugh echoed across the field, blending with the joyful shouts of the kids. The sight of him, so relaxed and happy, made my heart swell with affection. This was a side of him that few people got to see, and I felt privileged to witness it.

"Someone told me to give this to you." A kid's voice sliced through my thoughts.

I hadn't noticed him approach, and suddenly he was there, abruptly thrusting a red rose and a note into my hands. My breath hitched at the sight of the flower; the crimson petals immediately drained the warmth from my blood, chilling me to the core.

My hands moved almost of their own accord to accept the rose. A dull ache spread from the back of my head, intensifying with each heartbeat. The world around me started to become non existent, struggling to maintain focus. I barely noticed the boy as he darted away.

Ethan Calbert is dead. We confirmed he was dead.

The note... it was already in my hand, though I couldn't remember taking it. My fingers trembled as I felt its cool surface. A tight knot formed in my stomach, and I hesitated, swallowing hard, each breath feeling heavy as I slowly unfolded the paper. The rustle sounded deafening, making my stomach sick.

'Your smile is prettier up close.'

He's here. He's here. He's here.

The words danced on the page as my vision wavered. Short, panicked gasps escaped my lips, each breath a struggle. The sounds around me warped, the chatter of the girls beside me morphing into muffled shouts, distant and distorted. My head throbbed, and the edges of my vision darkened, fading to black.