Trapezoid (The Base)

Chapter 36

Under the cover of visiting a friend living in the city, Chris pulled on a pair of black pants, boots, and a knitted sweater. As she struggled through her supper, she prayed it wasn't her last. Her heart was heavy within her. Tomorrow was the day.

Chris was going to meet up with Levi to brush up on signals in case of anything. With all her heart, was it too much to ask the Lord to help her make it out alive and in one piece? Her generous boss had called up a cab for her. After dropping her off at a bus station, she found her own way from there.

She wasn't one for the evening, the shadows seeming to be filled with foreboding. The tree cover a little out of the city brought to life the low sounds of her childhood nightmares. Owls hooted and the tree leaves hissed above her. The only thing that kept her from freaking out completely was the absence of howling wolves—though she thought they would have completed the picture.

Chris' heart froze in her chest, a figure of a man leaning against a tree in the shadows. But after a slight assessment, her heart came back to life to a livelier beat. She approached the shadows, leaving the moonlit trail.

"You're three minutes late," the deep voice reprimanded with a dull tone.

Chris grinned despite it all. "It was a slight task finding a cab that would be passing this way from the city."

Strong arms locked around her, holding her captive in an embrace. A giggle escaped her lips as her feet left the ground. Set down moments later, Levi's eyes darting away self-consciously, she playfully punched his chest. "You're so impulsive," she said.

A dark glare settled on her, the night turning his dark blue to completely dark. "A person's impulsive if they don't think things through. I am never impulsive." His gaze turned away with his last statement.

"Well, you'd better not be—especially tomorrow."

His arm flexed as his fingers ran though his hair, thoughts turning to heavier things. Levi lowered himself, sitting on the ground. She followed his example at his side. The foresty sounds of the night, they did not disturb with their own voices. This would probably be the last time they'd get to sit like this together, Chris thought. Dismay weighed her heart down.

Levi dared break the peaceful silence, talking in hushed tones about the best gestures to use in public. "I won't be in sight, but I'll be having my eyes on you."

She snorted. "Gee, now you're treating me like a felon."

"You should be," he returned laconically, "You stole my heart after all."

Chris froze from ripping up a leaf. She gazed up at him and gave him a sharp look. That statement if false was enough to earn him a busted lip, a bruised jaw, and maybe a black eye to complete the combo.

His eyes burned with the intensity of heartfelt honesty.

Her gaze dropped moments later. Her heart had the wings of a bird beating against the cage that held it captive—only to be crushed moments later. She couldn't admit the same thing to him—no matter how much she wished she could. She blinked back tears. God, it hurts so badly!

.......................................................

She'd looked ready to beat him up. But there Levi was, laying his heart bare. Next thing, she looked elated—then downtrodden. He lifted her face by her chin. Her eyes remained downcast. As long as there was air to breathe, he meant every word. "Chris, what's up?"

Her eyes rose to his briefly. "The sky."

She couldn't miss the disapproving raise of his brow. "That's cruel. Stop it."