In Hell We Dance

Lies

Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit!

No. Please god no! Tell me Isaac's playing a cruel practical joke! He's just bored. Bored and wanting to cause some mischief. Wants to see me lose my shit and...

I rush to Isaac's room, throwing myself up the ladder, and I smack into the wall. Too stressed to worry about the fact I'm winded, I press my eyes to the glass and my heart stops. There he is. His Jaguar graces this shitty street, a black panther that shines too damn bright. Dad's in his massive overcoat, and he's approaching slowly, his steps long and controlled.

I bite my nails, then stop once I realise I'm doing so. I spin around and meet Isaac's curious gaze. This is fun to him: unbridled chaos, and fun. Why can't he see the severity of this literal shitstorm that's appeared in front of us! Dad finds out what we're doing with this place, he shuts it down. Simple as that.

I'm not giving up on this place just yet. I'm not giving up on Isaac either!

I leap off the alcove and land awkwardly on my ankle. Swearing, I ignore the fact that I've probably sprained the damn thing and I make for the door before stopping, glancing over at Isaac.

"Hey, listen... Take Corin and Sophie and—and lead them out the back. Don't let my dad see you!"

Isaac stares at me like a curious puppy, tongue hanging out.

"Well sure, but I don't think Sophie's gonna be—"

"I don't give a fuck right now! I..." I take a deep breath, centring myself. "Sorry. I just... Holy shit, dude! What do I say?"

He gives me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. At least that's what he thinks it is!

"I believe in you, man. You'll think of something."

I go numb, drilling him with the hardest glare I've ever given anyone.

"Thank the lord I have you, right?"

Isaac leans forward, planting a kiss on my cheek.

"Relax. Just keep him outside and make up some excuse."

"Oh yeah, and then what? Then he comes back another time, and we have to go through this again, only that time he won't be having any of my shit and then he'll come in and see, and he'll..."

I'm hyperventilating. I swear to god I'm—

I fall into Isaac's arms as he holds me, and I never knew how much I needed that. I want him to wrap me up and hide me away in the furthest depths of Hell. Only there I'll be warm and safe and—

Two loud raps sound against the door, and my heart jumps. I push into Isaac, and he holds me against those chiselled muscles, an impervious guardian angel.

I stare up at him, and blink, fighting the tears. We kiss, locked in our dreadful escape, and then our lips part all too soon.

"No matter what happens," I breathe. "Don't leave me. Please."

Isaac stares at me for the longest while and then lets out a withering sigh.

"Go."

Deprived of a solid answer, some buoy to swim towards in this raging ocean, I feel him slip away, and I'm stranded. He disappears quickly into the zen garden and I gulp, embracing my fate.

Two more knocks, impatient, and I pause. Maybe... Maybe he'll think no one's home and...

Shit. I told him I was going here today to oversee things. It's five in the afternoon—the sky already giving way to orange. I can't even pretend like I was out eating. Too late for lunch; too early for dinner. Curse our rigid daily schedules. We're practically conditioned to have meals at certain points, regardless of what else may be going on.