HYACINTH

chapter 14

[ a moment with only both of us]

Lavinia pov.

All I can feel is pain. It's all over my body. it hurts. I can't even move a single muscle in my body. someone. Please make it go. Please make the pain go away. tear drops escaping from my closed eyes. I couldn't help but feel so useless. My brain keeps playing those terrifying moments from earlier on loop. I can see it all. How Arlo screamed in pain. Screamed for help. How that monster teared his arm apart and devoured it like it was nothing. And then again jumping on him to consume him whole. It feels too real.

I could see that ruthless monster's long sharp teeth with two even longer fangs covered in Arlo's blood. Its snake like tongue sticking out of its mouth dripping blood to the ground. How its long nails smeared through his body. how its blood red eyes looked at rest of us while feasting on his lifeless body, like we are going to be its next target. It's terrifying screams still beaming in my ears. I want to escape from it. help me somebody please. Luke please. Get me out of here.

"HELP ME!!" I jolted up with cold sweat beads forming in my face.

Heavily breathing I looked around.my vision was blurry as tears again started to form. With my trembling hands I hugged myself in order to ensure myself that everything is ok. I can see Kane sleeping not so far away from me. But my eyes couldn't catch Luke. Naturally, I panicked as I hurriedly stood up getting out of the tent. We are in our camps. My wiggly legs cannot help me to go any further as I collapsed on to the floor crying loudly.

Author pov...

With the sudden thud followed by loud crying made Luke rushed inside the tent. He was preparing their dinner, but it can wait now. Seeing his girlfriend crying while pulling her hair makes his heart turn in sadness. Not wasting a minute, he hurried towards her trying to hug her, to calm her down. As soon as his fingers touched her hands it was slapped away.

"No stay away from me" she cried. "Those things will eat us all."

Luke knew what was happening and he can't help it. he himself can't even promise himself that he can see the tomorrow's sun. it hurts. With a hard gulp he again tried to reach her.

"NO!! we can't hide from those." She screamed trying to get her breath even.

"Calm down... I am here, see" Luke said in a soft tone holding her hands after many tries.

"But- those monsters will- we all will d-"

"We will try to make it out of here. With everyone. You me and the rest," he added.

"What about Arlo??" she murmured tears in her eyes. "We can't save him. He died so bru-"

"Shh, do not think about it okay." Luke whispered as he pulled her shaky body into him.

Hugging her tightly while caressing her head with one hand. Another one holding her hand as a sign of affirmation. Silently telling her that she will be safe with him. rocking back and forth Luke tried to calm her uneven breath. He looked at Kane which was woken up from earlier rucks looking at her in pity. Silent words exchanged between them as Kane stood up leaving them alone. They have a dinner prepare plus they can't move on with an empty stomach.

"You know Lavinia" Luke started. "Arlo won't be happy seeing you like this. I am sure that he wants you to smile and be happy."

Her breaths are calming down, telling Luke to go on. Though she didn't say anything Luke knows she is listening. And the little grab on his shirt made it clear.

"And despite all of it he is now in a better place. So please don't be like this." He continued. "It hurts me to see you this fragile. It makes me think that I am useless. I know, I know that you have been silently crying every night since the incident."

"Just to let you know, everything would still be same even if on that time we took a different path. These creatures are every were. But... but as long as you are with me, I will keep you safe my love. I can't lose you." He placed a peck on her head. "I know I am not good things like this, but I hope you get what I am trying to tell you."

After solid two minutes of complete silence, Lavinia looked up to him. looking him in the eyes where she can only see love, sadness, and comfort in them. Maybe add a little frustration too but it makes them perfect. Dried tears were visible on her face. Her nose gone red with the crying as she continued to sob.

"g-gosh you are bad at it." she murmured. "But than-"

Her words were cut off with the sudden bone crushing hug from Luke. At first, she was confused but them she realized. With a deep huff she broke the hug as she looked at him again.

"You scared me, love. I almost started losing my mind." He complained.

"I am sorry." She muttered.

"You owe me one."

"What! this is ridiculous. And for what?"

"For trying to make me jealous. Key word trying to."

"But it did its job. Didn't it."

" .... Still, you owe me one."

"Fine, close your eyes." She groaned. "Just do it you big baby."

With that Luke closed his eyes not knowing what his little devil is going to do to him. but he trusted her. He was glad that she is normal now. On other hand Lavinia was blushing madly. With one final deep breath and all the mustered courage she leaned in. red hues coloring up her whole face. Ears feeling hot as she did so. With a quick peck on his lips, she back away at the speed of light.

In shock Luke opened his eyes not processing what just happened. After a while he realized as a light blush showed up on his ears. Grabbing her by waist he pulled her closer. Their breaths fanning each other. Lavinia having trouble looking at him, she tried to break free.

"That wouldn't do my little butterfly." He whispered on to her ears with a hoarse voice.

"Be grateful-"

"Shh! Be quite my love." he smiled. "Will you?"

Hand placed near her jaw making her look up to him. blush madly painting her face as her teary looking eyes just made his heart skip couples of beats. Fingers playing with her lips, occasionally parting them. His chocolate eyes glued to them as he again gulped trying to remove the unholy thoughts from his mind. He is not kidding the way she looked right now made him wonder the unholiest things in his mind.

As soon as he saw little nod of affirmation from her, he wasted no time kissing her gently and full of love. with warmth spreading through their bodies as they got lost in their moment. Temporarily forgetting about the lurking danger in the wild.

"Guys the food is getting cold- OMY GOSH!! LORD HAVE MERCY ON ME!!"

End of chapter fourteen