A Letter To My Love: A Stolen Novel

Chapter 8

As the light of the day faded, I went inside, hoping that you would follow. When you didn't right away, I turned back around to you and said, "follow me." 

You did, but you looked deep in thought as I paused in the next room with the kerosene lanterns. I wanted to believe you weren't thinking about hurting me, but that would be false hope. I knew eventually you would love me, though, and that brought a smile to my lips.

I bent down to check on my handiwork with the generator and flicked a switch on. 

"Generators," I said to you and nodded at the batteries. "This powers everything in the kitchen and the few lights we have around the house." 

You were still deep in thought by the time I stood up. I wanted you to let me in and tell me all of your thoughts, but that'll be something for later. I hoped it would be worth the wait, but even I was starting to have doubts. 

I took down one of the kerosene lamps and placed it in your hands.

I began to explain how to use the lamp if something happened to the generator, and I noticed your hands shaking. It was barely noticeable, but I like to consider myself a noticer. I always notice beauty when I see it, like you, Gem.

I turned around to get another lamp, and I heard your slight movements behind me. 

I sighed and took a deep breath. 

When I turned around, your hands were shaking frantically, and the lamp was raised above your head in anger and fear. 

I wanted to comfort you at that moment, but it was best not to mess with you when you got like this. 

I did, however, take the lamp from your hands to keep it at a safe distance. Without me, you would've been as good as dead, and I could not let that happen to you. 

"You can't get rid of me with that," I pointed out. I felt my mouth twist in anger and clenched my fists hard to contain that buried anger. I hated how you made me feel like that, Gem. 

I poured the kerosene inside the lamp and let the flames ignite. If only you noticed the true beauty of moments like this. Sometimes you did when you let me in when I thought you loved me too.

I pushed you slightly in the direction of the door to lead you back to your room.

As I held the lamp to light up the pathway, I noticed your eyes on me. You looked scared of me. My heart fractured. A piece of my heart broke off and was chopped in a meat grinder, never to be salvageable again.

"This is your room," I said and tried to make my voice less strained. You didn't notice, even if it did still sound tense.

I led you inside the room and towards your bed. 

"You'll find clean sheets here," I said, finding my voice again.

I opened the dresser drawer to give you a mini-tour of the room, a la paradise. 

I revealed all of the t-shirts and jeans I bought you. 

I made them plain because you never did seem like the girl to wear the top designer brands. Your parents made you be that person. That person that I took you away from so you could just be you, Gem. And then you I see is beautiful—more and more so every day.

Then I had concerns when you looked at the clothes and pulled at the fabric slightly with your middle and forefingers. 

"It'll fit, right?" I asked, conserving my doubt. 

You didn't answer, but I could tell it would by the look of astonishment on your face. 

You pointed at one of the drawers to ask what was in there. "Underwear," I said as you kept looking and touching the drawers to become familiar with them.