Sustainable

Chapter Eight

Caelen

I blinked at her in surprise, and she smiled back mischievously. "We?" I stifled a laugh. She stared, and I laughed nervously. "We," I said sharply. "Are not going anywhere. You," I grabbed her arm softly and she began to protest, but I raised my hand to stop her. "You, my dear, are going home.And I am going to wherever it is I'm going next." I crossed my arms, and she frowned.

"Did you not listen to a word I just said? I can't go back; not now that I think there's something wrong. I need to get away, start a new life. And you are the one to help me." She mimicked me, folding her arms across her own chest.

"Why me?" I asked desperately, and she stared at me directly in my eyes. "Because you are the only person who could possibly know how I feel." She said slowly and simply, and I stopped in my tracks. "Will you help me? Caelen?" she asked - her voice filled with hope. The use of my name broke something inside of me, and I sighed heavily. "I don't even know your name, kiddo. How could you possibly trust me?" I asked, tense from the pressure of her request.

"I don't." she stated, and it took me by surprise. Her grey eyes were fixed on me, hard and calculating, and a small determined frown was etched across her pale face. Then her gaze suddenly softened, and she held out a small, frail hand. "But, I'd really like to learn to." Her hand hung in the space between us, anxiously awaiting my acceptance.

"Fine. We'll get away together." I grinned, and a large smile broke across her face. "You mean it?" she gushed, her eyes wide with excitement. "You'll take me with you?" she hugged me close, and then shyly took a step back, the slightly red glow returning to her cheeks. "Ari." she said casually, grinning at me.

"Ari? What are you talking about?" I said, confused. She laughed, and ruffled my blonde hair. "My name," she smiled. "Is Ari."