Ravenwings (Imaged + Completed) [1st in Trilogy]

Part II: Chapter 33

"Tonight?!" I repeated, horrified. "No, please...at least stay the night!"

"No. I need to get far away from here, while leaving a trail for them to chase that doesn't involve you. And without me around, you can finally get help from the police."

I opened my mouth to protest, but paused to consider that I could finally revert to my most basic instinct of calling 911 in a life-or-death emergency. "Just stay the night," I begged. "We'll pack stuff up for you tonight and we'll hang out just a little more and fall asleep holding each other again, and you can wake up early and well-rested and head off."

He shook his head. "I'll stay until sunset, and leave under the cover of night."

"No! Raven, no!"

"I need to get packed. I'm going to need some survival supplies and the pepper spray, but you'll have Nancy's shotgun just in case."

I broke down into sobs, and Raven pulled me in tight for a hug. 

"I'm sorry I have to go," he said gently, his voice like a lullaby to my ears. "I wish I didn't, and I'm so sorry I've hurt you..."

I couldn't help but cry. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me..."

"I swear I'll be back for you," Raven replied, his voice breaking. "One day I'll be back for you, and you'll be on my mind every moment until then."

As we packed everything he needed together, whenever possible I refused to leave his side and waste another second with him. Largely ignoring and avoiding Grandma, I gathered some things from the garage and fridge, wishing I'd have gotten enough heads-up to go shopping specifically for his long trip.

Once we had everything together in a backpack, we lay in my bed, pressed tightly against each other and our arms around the tangle of us both. I'd never pegged myself as someone to be so cuddly and mushy with, but it had come so naturally with him...