Thieves

Chapter 12

Scar took a deep breath and sat down on the floor, motioning for her to do the same. It was news that was probably better to take sitting down. He felt a lump form in his throat as he prepared to tell her the whole story and what was going to happen next.

“Gloria,” he said quietly as she sat down by him, not wanting to let the words come out of his mouth. He took a shaky breath, preparing himself mentally for this. “I have to leave. All of this.” His voice was quiet as he spoke and full of sorrow.

Gloria’s eyes widened at his words and she shook her head quickly. “No. I will not allow that,” she said. Her words were quick and short. She held her head slightly higher like she had all those years ago when they had first met. “You will not leave this family.”

Scar snorted. “It’s not like it makes a difference what you will allow. I have decided. I put everyone in too much danger if I stay here,” he said, raising his voice to get his point across. He refused to put the ones he loved in danger.

“Uh huh. Why in the world do you think it’s ok to go and leave us? Because I see no reason that would give you an excuse to leave us,” she said. The most important thing in her world was keeping her family together.

“That would be the fact that the police have been chasing me since I ran away from them a few weeks ago. They know we were there now. They don’t know how many of us but they are looking for me. Maybe you. I have to leave oth-“ He was cut off as Gloria got to her feet and was glaring down at him. He looked up at her in surprise as she began to talk. He hadn’t expected her to object too much to it.

“You expect me to believe that bullshit?” she snapped loudly at him. “If they are after you, they are after me! This is a time for staying together. Not breaking off because you think it would be ‘safer.’ This is just like ten years ago when you almost left me in the rain! Except this time you really plan on leaving not only me but Dez! And Gray! And Nath!” Her words rushed out in her anger at him for trying to leave them. Gloria had never expected him to try and leave any of them. Particularly her.

Scar stood up and glared back at her. It helped that he was taller than her and could actually glare down at her. “Understand me,” he shot back in a dangerous voice. “I’m not leaving you. I’m protecting you! All I have ever done since I met you and the others has been for you guys! I’m going to be the knight in shining armor and protect you all! Do you know how hard that is? To sacrifice it all? And it’s just because I love you. No other reason. They won’t come after you! They will be on my trail while you guys find a safe house.” The words were out of his mouth before he realized what all he had just said.

Gloria stopped for a long moment as she heard the words I love you. She didn’t know he felt that way about her. It was going to make things all the worse when one of them decided to open their mouths next.

A tense silence fell between the two teenagers.

“You’re doing this because you love me?” she said softly at first but her voice was building in volume quickly. “If you loved me, you wouldn’t be trying to leave me! You would be trying to find a way for all of us to stay together! I love you! Yes. I love you more than anything in the world. And part of that means staying together! Even if things are going to get tough! That’s what love means. Sticking together and figuring things out. Together! And if you don’t understand that you can get the hell out of this house.” She stamped her foot slightly. It looked childish but it did help her get her point across. All she wanted now was to get her point across to him. Maybe he would stay if she could get it to reach him.

Scar stopped and looked at her. She loved him… He hadn’t expected that. He felt tears sting at his eyes before he blinked them away. “I. I didn’t know,” he murmured quietly. “But I have to leave. Especially now. I can’t put you in that much danger.” He looked her in the eyes as he spoke.

He walked towards her and kissed her gently on the forehead, knowing that if he kissed her on the lips he would never be able to leave. “Good-bye for now,” he said quietly before heading for the door.

Gloria felt tears in her eyes. “If you leave me now, I hope you realize I won’t forgive you,” she said. Her voice was soft and full of hurt, longer, and, most of all, anger.

Scar nodded. “I know. I love you,” he said simply before turning and walking out. The last three words left his mouth in a barely audible voice. He didn’t turn and look back to see Gloria with tears streaming down her face. If he saw that, he wouldn’t be able to leave.

(Look! I got another chapter up. I hope you guys enjoy it. Feel free to commet/fan/vote. ~Cajun)