Liberation [completed]

Forever- Asher

FOREVER!

My brain yells at her. But I could only just stare at her helplessly and watch the disappointment fill those beautiful blue eyes. I hadn't expected her to ask me that, it had definitely caught me off guard and it hurt me just hearing that she thought this was a temporary arrangement. I haven't really thought about this much, but now that I was thinking about it, I wanted her to be in my life forever. I know it was quick, but I was never one to ponder, but when I knew what I wanted, I got it and stuck with it.

Yet, I knew that I couldn't tell Mia this now, she wouldn't believe me nor was she ready to hear this from me. So I watched as the small crush she had fostered for me wither away in her eyes. Her blue eyes darkened with disappointment. I hoped she would get over this, I hoped she would understand that I was only trying to help her. She had to focus on herself and no one else. As I studied her, I saw the darkness manifest and grow into a sinister monster inside of her. She looked so hurt and broken at that moment, I had to clench my jaw tightly to stay quiet. I didn't want to do anything that would hurt her. This darkness was bad for her and she was the only one who could get rid of it.

It felt like we remained silent for a long time and I realised that it was my turn to reply and I had completely spaced out. But as I begin to phrase my answer, Mia turns and walks out of the dining room. I follow her body as she climbs up the stairs two at a time and then disappears to her room. So that was it, she wasn't talking to me. I was still unhappy that she lied to me, but we were both equally upset today, I'll talk to her tomorrow when we've cooled off.

Just as I move to sit down for dinner, I hear footsteps running down the stairs and I look out to see Mia carrying her backpack with her. That backpack was her life she never seemed to go anywhere without it. Now that she had it with her together with the look of blankness on her face, I felt fear settle in my stomach.

"Where are you going?" I ask her, meeting her at the bottom of the stairs. I had to keep reminding myself to be calm and not yell at her or do anything stupid with her. I needed her to trust me, not hate me.

"None of your business. Thank you for everything but I have to go" Mia says not really looking at me and it felt like she was trying to slap me in the gut or something. The thought of her leaving didn't sit well with me, I felt like puking. The past two months flash through my mind and the helplessness I felt adds fire to the fear that had appeared at the bottom of my stomach.

"No, you don't. Stop running away!" I tell her firmly trying to sound sure of myself. I try to reach out to her and grab her. If I could just hold her, she'd understand, I could make her stay. But as usual, she recoils from me like I was about to hit her or hurt her. She cowers inward trying to shield herself from me. This woman must have gotten a handbook on how to hurt me, cause right now she was hitting every nail in my coffin. I pull away from her and look at her helplessly, I was trying to control my anger but she wasn't helping by making me more upset.

"I'm not running. I'm being realistic. I've got nothing to-"She says adamantly.

"Hello? Anyone home?" Hunter's voice cuts her off and Mia looks taken aback slightly as she looks down the hallway.

What the hell was he doing here? Why was he even here? Didn't he have a family to be with?

"Bye" Mia's voice was so soft, her words felt like an echo in a dark, moist and unwelcoming cave. I look at her pleadingly now. I couldn't let her leave! Yet, I couldn't find the right words to make her stay. I was new to all of this, besides physically making her stay, my mind drew up blank.

"Mia, how are you?" Hunter asks her as he appears at the end of the hallway. Leah, his wife was with him and both of them were just a vision of warmth and happiness.