ALMIRA THORN- Knowledge of Another Kind. [Editing]

Chapter 20- A Shoulder to Scream On...

                  The candlelight in the hallway flickered as Tom’s shadow moved around the corner.

“TOM!” I shouted, refusing to be ignored, as his need to get away scared me far more than I’d like to admit. I sprinted around the corner and noticed the door on the left slightly ajar. I slowly pushed open the oak and peered round, seeing Tom huddled on the floor, his hands hiding his face as he breathed through gritted teeth. I ran over and fell to my knees beside him, stroking his hair out of his face and trying to pry his hands away from his head.

“It’s okay.” I soothed.

“No, it’s not.” He replied, his voice sounding strained as he lifted his head and looked into my eyes, the silver becoming so vivid that for a moment, all I could do was stare. Tears shone through his gaze as he forced them back, trying to reign in his emotions.

“Tell me what’s wrong, please.” I begged, unable to bear this sight of him in complete panic. It was then that he hid his face behind his hair and rested his clenched fists on the floor.

“I- I felt so angry at him, Allie. I thought you were in danger from the blade and I couldn’t control it. I wanted to harm him, to kill him.” He blurted, breathing heavily. Tom had always shown a protective nature towards me, seeing as we had been together since infancy, but he’d never shown it so fast and strongly. It has to be the change.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, “The change is taking a hard toll on you, and nobody can blame you for your reaction. Just maybe next time, try not to pop your eyeballs out of your head.” I lifted his chin to look at him, giving a smile of reassurance and seeing his eyes glimmer and his mouth twitch into his own smile before he chuckled.

“I must have looked a little insane back there.” He said, shakily brushing his hair back with his fingers and slowly rising to stand, helping me up to my feet also.

I chuckled, “Not insane, never that.” I teased. He smiled but it was haunted and a mask to cover the real pain. He raised a palm to cup my cheek, letting his thumb stroke along my skin and bring back the shivers from before. He’d never shown such closeness before and staring at him now, I didn’t know how to react as he leant forward and pressed his lips to my forehead.

“I can’t lose you again.” He mumbled against my skin.

I never knew what else would have occurred as a knock to the door sounded, bringing us back to the here and now. People have awful timings. Lucy stood in the doorway and stared at us, confusion merging in her gaze for a brief moment before it was then replaced with the usual comforting smile.

“The carriage is here.” She said, “I’ll fetch Ray and Michael, they will escort you tonight and make sure you stay safe, not that you need it.” She laughed as she walked off, her laugh echoing and fading down the doorway as Tom and I walked out of the room and down the hallways, ready to meet this Aries and have at least a few questions answered. 

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Sorry it's only a short update!

Hoping to have a few more chapters done soon!

Isabella x