Rogue Squad

A Moment to Let it All Sink In

The lake is silent. All signs of lingering life are still scarce from the fight earlier.

I sit with my back against a giant oak tree. I hug my knees and legs close to my naked body for warmth. I gently stroke my bare arms with my thumbs in a soothing manner as tears continuously flow down my cheeks, staining them white. I don't bother to wipe them away because I know they will soon be replaced.

I watch the water.

It remains motionless. A few leaves lingering on the surface but no fish break the water, scavenging for food. It appears lifeless-completely void of any breathing creature. A small breeze chills my body as it wraps around me. I hug my legs closer to my torso.

I rest my chin onto my knees.

I've been out here for a couple hours now, but it's still not long enough. I don't know if I will ever gain the courage to go back.

I mean how can I return to the place I used to spend every day with my mother? Every little thing I'm going to do, will remind me of her, then I will end up crying again. How can I do that to myself? How can I go back to a place like that?

I miss her so much.

A rustling of grass and dead leaves sounds from behind me. I can hear the blatant footsteps of another person, but my muscles don't move. They feel weak. I just continue to stare off into the lifeless lake.

A moment later, the feeling of soft cloth falls onto my shoulder, draping over my naked body. This gets my attention. I turn my head upward to find Greyson staring down at me. In his hands are a change of clothes.

We stare at each other for a long while. Silence lingers around us. I realize then that he is waiting for me to speak first.

"How did you know where to find me?" I ask, my voice a mere whisper.

He squats down next to me. He lifts his free hand to my cheek and wipes away a stray tear. "I figured this was a safe place for you. Sorry I took so long. I wanted to give you some time to be alone."

I grab hold of the edges of the blanket and squeeze it tighter around my body. "Thank you for that."

"Want to put on the clothes I brought?" he asks me.

I shake my head and place my chin back onto my knees, turning back to the lake. "I don't want to move."

Another breeze passes through the woods. It's chilled and flows under my blanket. I shiver a bit, but ignore it. I hear Greyson shift. I can tell he is leaning up against the tree as well and getting comfortable.

A moment later, I feel hands land on my hips. Then I'm swept up into the air for a moment, then quickly land back onto the ground. Only this time I'm between Greyson's legs with my back to his chest. He pulls me in close and wraps his arms around my body.

The warmth allows my weakened self to finally relax. I lean back into him and close my eyes. I take in his comforting presence. Enjoying the sensation of him around me, I decide it's time I speak my feelings. I need to let them out.

"He killed my mom." I say quietly.

Greyson's face nuzzles into my neck. I feel him warm breath tingle down my spine as he says, "I'm so sorry. She was a great person Lucia. She truly loved you."

Tears flow into my eyes again. It's not that I wanted Greyson, or anyone else to give me sympathy, but for some reason it feels nice to hear. A small whimper escapes my mouth as another round of sobs racks through my body.

Through the tears I cry out, "I miss her so much."

Greyson squeezes me tighter in his arms. I continue to cry, whimper and shake until my body is consumed by darkness and I drift off.