Across the Channel

Prologue

Standing on that dock, the air of the Channel in my throat and filling my lungs with an overwhelming sense of pain.

That was just it; I had to leave. I had to go back to France. I didn't want to.

The crisp Fall air rushing through my hair as he held me in his arms, probably for the last time for months.

"I'll miss you." I manage to croak out; unable to control the tears that actively ran down my cheeks, we hadn't even parted yet and I missed him.

I could tell that Sam was struggling to not cry himself. He knew damn well that we wouldn't see each other for another few months.

"I will too, we just have to get through this; god wants to test our love, Dearie." He said, his voice smooth, like velvet, like buttercream frosting, like the transition from sunset to night, but it didn't stop the stabbing pain every time he spoke about me having to leave.

"Fuck God... I love you too much to leave you again..." I say, my voice raspy and uneven as I spoke.

Samuel made a small click with his tongue of disapproval.

I grabbed onto his jacket as another sob wracked my body, burring my head into his neck. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be breathing.

Both of my arms were at his back, grabbing greedy fistfuls of his jacket, praying that his touch would stay just a moment longer.

"Ferry 2 25 5 Departing in 5 minutes." This voice from a worker shocked me to my core as I let out another sob, Unable to control my senses.

I pulled a hand away from his back. An electric wave of mental anguish shocking through my arm and grasping my heart with a chokehold strong enough to kill a man.

I shakily pulled out the ticket I had boughten, as the number of the Ferry I needed to take un-clouded from my tears. Ferry 2 25 5.

"Merde... Shit" I said through a sob as I shoved the ticket back into my pocket and immediately grabbed at Samuel's back again, grabbing at the fabric of is coat.

He had been silent for the most part, but I heard a small, choked sob come from him as I cursed.

He would miss me too.

So I am not Crazy.

Good to know.

"I am so sorry, My love... I wish you could stay here... I really do..." Samuel Squeaked. He was trying so hard not to burst into more sobs than he already was.

Men should be strong, I was making him weak, but not in the way I hoped.

I have five minutes. Five Minutes. Five minutes to spend with him, even less if I would board on time.

"I love you..." I whispered, burring my head into his chest for one last time for god knows how long.

He brushed one of his hands through my hair while he spoke to me for the last time; actually spoke to me, not just a letter, Unsure if we would ever see each other again.

"I love you too."

The raw emotion in his voice was enough to take me to my knees, but I stayed frozen in his arms.

"Ferry 2 25 5 now Boarding" These words are going to haunt me.

As those words hung through the air with no audible echo, I let go of his coat, still sobbing.

"Goodbye, Sam..." Regret and Pain practically filled the sentences with dread and agony like a dry sponge to water.

"Goodbye, Elle." He wiped off some of my tears with his hand. His words were an emotion I could only describe as grief before death. His nickname for me filled with so much of this emotion that it practically chucked my heart into a blender.

As I finally boarded the ferry, I could see William come up behind Samuel, trying to console my poor Sam.

Maybe I should talk to William's fiancée, Christine.

And now, Back to Paris.