Saving Lucy

Prologue

Special thanks to iBwittney for creating the book cover. Thank you, it looks amazing!

The path leading to the creek is now litter with leaves. Yellow, orange, and red leaves still cling to the branches. Fall is my favorite time of year. The wind blew scattering the fallen leaves, and I could swear I heard him speak"you do have options," he wants to save me, and so do I but he can't only I can do that.

"It's never too late to shed dead skin" mama was fond of self-renewal. As I approach the clearing, I could see him, worried but still waiting. He's wearing jeans and a brown shawl collar sweater. "I love you, queen," "but I can't continue this, you have to come clean with me. 100.". I stepped into the clearing before I could lose my nerve.

"Queen, your late, I was beginning to worry." I couldn't find the strength to smile. He always calls me that as if I was his queen. "I can't stay long, Damien. I should be resting in bed. But I wanted to share this with you here."

Biting my lower lip, I let him lead me to the log facing the creek, noting the tightening of his muscles. This is a terrible situation for everyone. Auntie was right I should have told him before we married. How did I convince myself otherwise? He brought me here several months ago to tell me his secrets. It's only fitting that the first shedding happens here.

After we settled, "I asked you to meet me here because I need to be honest with you." He nodded, "I'm listening." I closed my eyes briefly, surging up my courage. It's never too late shed dead skin. He took my hands but, I pulled away. No contact was best. He looked surprised, "this is hard enough as it is if you touch me I'll just crumble." "then crumble I'm right here."

"No, I need to do this, you need to listen." "I can comfort you – "No, there's no time, a few days ago you told me that you love me and to come clean, well I need you to know how I got here." "I've been hiding so long that I've forgotten who I am."

"Then tell me," he said gently. "you know my mother died a week after my 14th birthday that was the beginning". "I thought you were— "I am but listen." "okay." "I lived with my aunt for two years before she married, and I had to leave. "In fact, it was a month after my 16th birthday, that I ran into Mackenzie". I waited for the information to absorb. "you mean?" "yes... do you want me to continue?"