Midnight's Promise

Chapter 6

I don't respond, I literally can't. He's rendered me speechless and I can't help but love this feeling. Nobody has ever really noticed anything about me and now I feel like crying.

"Thank you," I whisper, the sound barely escaping my lips. I know he heard me because I can hear him smirk. I hear him move closer and I force myself to remain in the same place.

"How many people have actually loved you? Hugged you?" Hunter asks, he's closer to me now, invading my personal bubble.

"I-I-I'm not sure," I lie. I feel like a loser enough without having to broadcast it. Hunter sighs, I can tell he knows I'm lying and I cast my eyes towards my feet. I'm still staring into darkness due to the blindfold, but it doesn't protect me from Hunter's stare.

"You and possibly my mother," I answer, feeling ashamed even though I know it's not my fault.

"Possibly?" He asks and I can hear the confusion laced through his words. He's waiting for an explanation, though I don't feel like telling him my depressing life story. An awkward silence falls over us and I sigh, shaking my head slightly.

"I never knew my mother, she died during childbirth. I've been left with my father ever since," I mumble, holding my eyes shut tightly as I think of how my life could have been if my mother was still here.

"I'm sorry. But even though your mum's not here, I know she loved you and everyone who thinks otherwise is both blind and stupid." Hunter says. I can't help but notice that Hunter is saying all the right things, sending up a little red flag in my brain and the heavy feeling of suspicion sets its self in my stomach. A light touch on my arms jolts me out of my head and it causes me to flinch slightly.

"We're going to take this slowly, okay? I'm going to slowly place my arms around your waist while you put your arms around my neck," He says, lightly guiding my arms towards his neck. His touch is so light I can barely feel it but it still effects me greatly. I'm left to decide if Hunter should continue, so when I make no move to pull away it's my way of giving permission.

It may be selfish, but I'm allowing myself this moment.

Hunter wraps his arms around my waist, wasting no time in pulling me close to him. I rest my head on his shoulder, relaxing into his arms. This is the safest I've felt through my whole entire life, but like everything for me its ruined in a moment. The large bang echoes throughout the house, resulting in myself breaking away from Hunter and stumbling across the room.

"Need any help?" asks Hunter but I shake my head vigorously. The seconds tick by as we wait for Paul's dreaded voice to call me down, but it never happens. The breath I was holding escapes my lips and I can feel my shoulders relax. Even though I've made it through unscathed this time, I'm never completely safe in this house.

Not like I am with Hunter.

Hunter glances back at the clock. 8:15pm, the numbers flash before my eyes, not really sinking in. "Curfew?" I hear myself ask and even I can hear the disappointment seep through my voice. I silently curse myself for being such an open book towards Hunter.

"No," He begins, but tries again in a more believable voice, " No, I'm not going anywhere."

"It's fine, just go. It wouldn't be a good outcome if you got grounded, would it?"

"It's fine Addie. My supposed tutoring session just finished fifteen minutes ago, I'll just make up an excuse when I get home," explains Hunter. I nod slightly and bring my hand to my head to adjust my blindfold.

"But, I will climb back into the tree so you can take that off now," and he begins to shuffle towards the tree, "it's safe, you can take it off,"

Once I remove the blindfold all the lights in my room come rushing to my newly exposed eyes. Temporary blinding me.