The promise.

Goodbye- Jace.

March 29th, 22:00.

The house was quiet, the kind of stillness that presses down on you and makes every sound seem louder.
I crept down the hall to Avery's room, my heart heavy with the weight of what I had to do.

Leaving her behind felt like tearing a part of myself away, but I had to go.
I had to get away from this place, and I had to come back for her when I was strong enough.
I gently pushed her door open.
Avery was sitting on her bed. Her wide eyes looked up at me, a mixture of confusion and worry etched across her face.

"Jace?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
I walked over and sat down next to her, taking her tiny hand in mine.
"Hey, munchkin," I said softly.
"I need to talk to you about something important." She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine.
I pulled out the necklace from my pocket, the one I'd saved up for months to buy.
It was a necklace of a Raven with a heart in his beak.
I gently fastened it around her neck, then pulled out its matching twin and put it on myself.

"Avery," I began, my voice catching in my throat.
"I have to go away for a while. But I promise, I will come back for you. No matter what, I'll come back. This necklace," I touched the pendant on her neck, "is to remind you of that promise." Tears welled up in her eyes, and she clung to me.

"But why do you have to go? Can't I come with you?" I shook my head, feeling my own tears threatening to spill.
"Not yet, Avery. But one day, I'll come get you, and we'll be together again. I swear it."

She pulled back slightly and reached under her pillow, pulling out a small, self-made bracelet and a folded piece of paper. "Here," she said, her voice shaky.
"I made this for you. And this is a drawing I did. You need to give it to Riley."
I took the bracelet and the drawing from her, my heart aching.
The bracelet was simple, made of colorful beads strung together. The drawing was of the three of us—Avery, Riley, and me—holding hands and smiling.
I could barely keep it together.
"Thank you, Avery," I said, my voice breaking.
"This means the world to me." I hugged her tightly, memorizing the feeling of her in my arms.
"I love you, munchkin. Don't ever forget that."
"I love you too, Jace," she whispered, her tears soaking into my shirt.
I pulled away and kissed her forehead, then stood up, forcing myself to turn away from her pleading eyes.

As I walked to the door, I glanced back one last time, etching the image of her sitting on her bed, clutching the necklace, into my mind.
"I'll come back for you, I promise," I said, my voice choked with emotion.

I made my way outside, my vision blurred by tears.
Riley was waiting by the car, her expression anxious. She saw the tears on my face and pulled me into a tight embrace.
"Did you tell her?" she asked softly. I nodded, unable to speak.
Riley held me for a moment longer, then gently pulled back and wiped away my tears.
"We have to go," she said, her voice filled with determination.I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
"Yeah, let's go."
We got into the car,
''Avy told me to give you this'' I handed her the drawing she made.
''Awh this is so adorable, Avery is the sweetest'' I smiled, the tears were still in my eyes. '
'Jace, we are going to come back for her, promise'' I nodded and smiled.
I started the engine, I glanced back at the house.
The lights in Avery's room were still on. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, the weight of my promise heavy on my heart.

As we drove away, I couldn't hold back the sobs any longer. Riley reached over and squeezed my hand, her presence a small comfort in the overwhelming pain.
We were driving for a few hours, heading our way to Indiana.