HIDDEN (Hide Or Die)

Chapter 51

ALBERT'S P. O. V.

A month ago, when I decided to leave Bluefield, I was consumed by a sadness so deep that I thought I'd never find my way back up. The weight of everything that had happened bore down on me, crushing my spirit until all I could see was darkness. My parents' rejection and Julian's cruelty had hollowed me out, leaving a void that threatened to swallow me whole. I felt like I was tumbling down a never-ending tunnel, where the light at the end seemed too distant to ever reach. The only thing that kept me from plunging further into that abyss was Matthew.

He held onto me like a lifeline, his presence was a comforting constant in the chaos. I clung to him, desperate for the warmth and light he brought into my life. And now, two weeks later, to my surprise, I was back home in Bluefield, where it all began. But this time, the light at the end of the tunnel wasn't just a distant glimmer—it was a bright, welcoming embrace, pulling me out of the darkness and back into the world.

I sat on the swing chair under the large oak tree in Auntie Lillian’s backyard, the gentle sway of the seat soothing my nerves. The garden around me was alive with color, flowers of every hue painting the landscape in vibrant strokes. I closed my eyes and let the soft breeze kiss my skin, a small smile playing on my lips as I let my thoughts drift.

"Al? Are you sleeping?"

Matthew’s voice pulled me from my reverie. I opened my eyes slowly, taking in the sight of him standing in front of me with a plate of diced fruit in his hands. His beautiful brown eyes, full of warmth and affection, stared down at me, and I couldn’t help but smile and blush under his gaze.

"No, I wasn’t sleeping," I replied softly, my voice tinged with the peace I felt in that moment. "Just… deep in thought."

Matthew smiled at me, that sweet, understanding smile that always made me feel seen and loved. He shifted the plate to one hand and used the other to take a fork and skewer a piece of fruit. He settled down beside me on the swing, his presence filling the space with warmth. Gently, he brought the fork to my lips, and I took the fruit into my mouth, savoring the sweetness as I watched him.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Matthew asked, his voice gentle as he fished out a shiny coin from his pocket. He handed it to me with a grin, all while still spooning the fruit towards my mouth like I was a toddler who couldn’t be trusted with a fork.

I burst into laughter, taking the coin and slipping it into my pocket. "You know, at this rate, you're going to bankrupt yourself. I'm going to be a millionaire just by thinking out loud!"

Matthew chuckled, but his eyes stayed on me, wide and expectant. "Well, it's the best investment I’ve ever made. So, what’s on that brilliant mind of yours? Another get-rich-quick scheme involving my spare change?"

I chuckled but also took a moment to gather my thoughts, my heart swelling with the emotions that had been swirling inside me. "I was just thinking about how my life used to be," I began, my voice quiet but steady. "How it was so sad and miserable, and how you came along and made it brighter. I can't help but feel so grateful for you, for Kyle... and for everyone who stood by me." My voice hitched slightly, and I had to take a breath before continuing.

"I still can’t wrap my head around it—how Kyle loved me so fiercely that he was willing to risk everything—his own safety, his mother’s, and most importantly, Andrew’s. Andrew, the love of his life, who means more to him than anything in this world. Kyle risked it all just to get Julian and his wretched friends off the streets so I could feel safe again. How could I ever repay him? Not in this life, not in the next—if there even is one. And Auntie Lillian… Matt, the love all of you have shown me… it’s something I never imagined I’d find again. I thought that part of my life was gone forever.”