Tearing Paper

Fallen

Return the light you stole from me
Remove the blindfold, I cannot see
You left me here to walk alone
You destroyed the place I knew was home

“I hope you’re warm enough,” Nate placed his hand by the blazing fire and turned to Dianne, who was sitting quietly beside him. Her tears had subsided as they got some fish and Nate struggled to row back to the shore. Luckily, the beach was nearly empty, so nobody could see them and assume that Nate had hurt her so bad during the boat trip that Dianne returned back crying.

“It’s perfect, thanks,” Dianne sniffled as she watched Nate roast some fish. She drowned her bare feet in the sleepy sand, yearning for comfort. Nate stared at her through his peripheral view.

“Here.” Taking off his overshirt, he wrapped Dianne with it, happy that it was big enough for her to snuggle in. “You’ve done enough today—let me do the rest now.”

Dianne did not say a word as Nate continued preparing their midnight snack—how could he act so calm and cold-headed, like nothing ever happened on the boat? Very… impressive of him.

“So… where could Devon be now?”

“What?” Dianne never knew Nate would be that concerned.

“We gotta look for him, right? You came here and accompanied a total stranger around the island in hopes you can see him, and he’s nowhere. We should find him,” Nate said seriously.

“Y-yea, but I don’t wanna burden you—“

“It’s fine,” Nate gave Dianne a freshly cooked fish on a stick and his smile. “I promise you—you don’t know how much you’ve helped me. I wanna help you back.”

“Nate…” Dianne tried to focus on the fish in her hand, hoping she wasn’t blushing. It smelled hot and oceany, but all her senses longed for at that moment was to be back in Nate’s arms, where she felt safe and understood.

What was wrong with her?

“Could he be in town?” Nate continued, almost talking to himself.

“Nate—come on, you can’t help me that much. You got your own life awaiting.”

With those words, Nate sank back into his own dilemma.

-

Emergency. The whole family needs you, Nate. Ella needs you. Please inform us when you’ll be back so we can be there when you visit Ella.

Ella was still at the hospital?

Nate stared blankly at the text he had been ignoring since Dianne dragged him into their boat trip. He was almost sure he was really falling for Dianne—but now, when real life was calling, again the guilt returned haunting him.

Or rather, it did not return—it just rose back to the surface after Nate buried it deep in his heart when he decided to go to Namiri Island with Dianne.

That girl was magic.

She had totally made him forget that he was a despisable murderer.

Nearly a murderer--but still, he never hated anyone else more than he hated himself.

That he was running from something he could not escape from—the truth. The past.

He had everything he got for his article.

But maybe Devon could wait.

Maybe this emergency could not.

As Dianne took one cooked fish close to her mouth and chewed hungrily, Nate let his fingers type a reply deliberately.

I’ll be there tomorrow.