The Genocide

Chapter Sixteen

Warm lips pressed against my own. It was obvious someone had kissed me and that person was Darwin; his lips are memorable and something I've grown to know. His familiar morning kiss is what broke me out of my serene sleep. It has been two days since my decision to stop the medicine and it's already starting to have its toll on me. I've woken up with a pounding headache and get nosebleeds when stressed, which is when anyone asks me about the baby or the mating.

Instead of responding to the kiss, I turned away and groaned. I heard him chuckle and lean over me, "When you wake up, there's a surprise on your bedside table." I barely nod and act like I'm going back to sleep but don't. I hear him crawl off the shared bed and the door close behind him.

My head jerks up and I see a silver tray on the table. On it is a bowl of fruit, some toast, and an envelope. I ate in a hurry as I stare at the envelope. My heart is racing at the possibilities of what may be written inside it. After eating, I tear into the envelope and have to reread it several times.

"Find me within wood,

a sacred land for us two,

for our hearts to bond."

My heart speeds when I see that on the back of the haiku is a very detailed map, entitling me exactly where to go. My hands start sweating and I realize he wants to break the bond. To start a new one with me. Today's the day. My heart squeezes at the poem and lengths he made to make the map. I feel wetness on my face and brush at the snot when I see violent red covering the back of my hand.

I cleaned up to the best of my possibility and sat on the edge of the tub. I leaned forward and sighed as I pushed a rag to my nose. Within seconds it was bleeding through the thin cloth. I leaned back and pinched the bridge of my nose. I needed to go meet Darwin and complete the mating process. My stomach was knotted and I felt sick to the stomach.

My nose finally clotted and I took a quick shower. Paying extra attention to shaving my legs and underarms. After I got out I dried off and lathered my body with moisturizer. I pulled my hair up, not feeling like dealing with the thick mane. I walked into the bedroom and pulled on a dress. Slipping on some flats I grabbed the map and followed it.

He had me travel through the house, and I was surprised when along the way people were waiting to give me something. In a hall, a man gave me a rose, in the kitchen, I was given a bottle of wine and in the garden I was surprised with a bag I was instructed not to open until I had reached him.

I followed the map and found myself on a path down in the woods. I followed the path and pushed through so thick brush, the thorns grabbing at my dress. I pushed through some thick leaves and stumbled into a cleared area. It looked like someone had cleared it all up from the fallen leaves and thin branches. In the floor of the wood there was a quilt laid out. Darwin was starting a fire in the middle of the clearing.

"Darwin," I whispered, gathering his attention.

Darwin turned around and took a deep breath, "Bay," he exhaled. "I see you got my gifts,"

"I did." I whispered, glued to the spot. Darwin walked forward and I saw he was wearing blue jeans and a V-Neck. His hair was pushed back. He took the bag from me and motioned for me to follow him. I followed him over to the blanket where we sat.

"Here," he shoved the bag in my arms. I pulled at the draw strings and it fell loose. Wrapped in tissue paper was a teddy bear with a unisex onesie on it saying, "My Mommy and Daddy think I'm ADORABLE."

I looked at the bear for a while before I could muster any words. My heart lightened at his gift.

"I want you to know I'll be here with you, every step of the way." He held onto one of my hands as he rubbed circles into my palms.