Courting Tragedy

Courting Tragedy (6)

6

A huge boom shook the room. I gasped and bolted upright, fighting to figure out where I was. The double bed, the green curtains over the windows, the warm wood floors... this wasn't mine! My breathing sped up as my mind struggled to understand where I was, and what I was doing here.

A flash of lightning turned the room bright as day and I screamed, sobs hitching in my throat as I dropped back to the bed and hugged my pillow tightly. Tears ran down my face as clutched my pillow for dear life.

The door slammed open, timed exactly with a flash of lightning and it was enough to drive me into an anxiety attack. I began to hyperventilate; my eyes closed in sheer terror as I prayed that God would have mercy and end the storm before I lost my mind.

"Emory?" Gage said hesitantly from his position at the door.

I whimpered softly, not trusting myself to restrain the scream building inside me if I opened my mouth.

He gave a barely audible sigh and crossed the room, climbing onto the bed. He settled down next to me and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me against him as he mumbled under his breath. I buried my face in his chest, giving up any dignity I had when the sky was clear.

I attempted to wrap my arms around him, to pull myself closer to him as the storm increased in intensity, but the blanket prevented me from moving my arms at all. He sighed again, louder this time, and slid under the blanket before I could even protest. He drew me against his body, every inch of my skin pressed against his. He was so much taller than me that my head rested comfortable in the crook of his neck, and I used it to my advantage, laying my cheek against his warm skin.

He jumped, obviously unaware of how cold I truly was. His other arm slid under me as thunder shook the house and I cried out in almost physical pain as my muscles seized. In my sixteen years, I have never been in such a bad storm. The sky was almost constantly lit by streaks of lightning that flashed not only the pure white I usually saw, but also with a pink that made my breath catch. The lightning that followed was low and loud, an unvarying sound that I would hear for years to come in my nightmares.

"It's going to be alright," He said soothingly into my ear as I clutched at his shirt in desperation. "The storm will pass."

He was right, of course, but with the passage of the storm did not come immediate relief. This storm had pushed my mind-and body-to the limits, and my muscles were convulsing painfully for hours after quiet descended on the house. Gage held me securely as I gasped in pain repeatedly and whimpered as my muscles slowly relaxed and I drifted into an uneasy sleep.

I woke slowly, the light of the sun seeping under my eyelids and forcing me to come around much earlier than I would have liked. I opened my eyes hesitantly, and if I hadn't known the events of last night, I would have found my position compromising. I was lying on my side, hugged tight against Gage's incredible body. His arms were wrapped firmly around me, and one of my arms curled gently over his ribs in a relaxed arrangement that told more about our relationship than words ever could.

For the first time in days, I felt almost... safe. I felt as though I had an ally against all the dangers I could ever face. Here I was, lying in a strangers arms, and feeling as though all was right in the world. It was unusual, to say the least, that I had these feelings.

I didn't move, unwilling to do anything that would make me have to face the world on my own once again. Ever since my mom had died, I'd been alone. My father wasn't much of a parent, being more of the type to work on business proposals and such than speak to his only child. I'd fended for myself, learning to cook, clean, and do my own laundry, along with checking my own homework and seeing that everything was in order in our home.

I'd been forced to grow up fast, and it was the one thing I wish I could take away from myself. As soon as I started acting responsibly, seeming more like a middle-aged person than a teenager, my 'problems' had started. Anxiety, mainly, along with a confidence disorder, and a slight eating disorder that I had managed to defeat. I was proud of myself, and my therapist told me that it was good that I could make myself feel the confidence that I did.

I sighed unconsciously and Gage shifted his position. I stiffened immediately, and when I figured it was safe and he was still asleep, I snuggled closer to his chest. I felt more than heard his chuckle, the deep rumble of vibrations running across my skin like sparks.

"Hey there, sleepy. How are you feeling this morning?" He smiled and brushed some hair back from my face as I looked up into his eyes.

"Slightly better, now that the sky is blue." I whispered, not sure I could trust my voice.

He cocked his head slightly and looked down into my eyes, almost as though he was studying me. I looked down self consciously until his hand under my chin forced me to look up at him.

"I told you not to be embarrassed about your fear, Emory. It is well within human nature to feel an aversion to certain things." He spoke softly in that same out-dated voice, gazing into my eyes.

I shifted my gaze away, involuntarily rubbing small circles on his ribs with my finger. "An aversion is normal; a full blown fear like I have is unnatural. It's disgusting." I spat.

Gage exhaled loudly and rolled onto his back, his hands still clasped around me so that I was pulled along and on top of him. I rested my head against his chest, hearing his heart beat a steady rhythm inside his body.

"The way you treat yourself hurts me. You act as though you have to be perfect in order to be worth talking about." He mumbled.

I froze, unable to believe that he'd been able to see right through me so quickly. I moved to get off of him, to pull myself away from his warmth as I found myself almost in a panic. My only thought at that time was that I didn't need to have him any farther inside of my head than he was. His damp shirt clung to mine, and I could feel small tendrils of hair stuck to my face. His arms just tightened around my middle as I struggled against their strength futilely before collapsing back on his chest, my joints stiff and painful after last night's spasms.

"I won't let you beat up on yourself like you do. It's not becoming." He gave me that same small smile I'd seen yesterday, and I rolled my eyes because I knew he was toying with me.

I settled myself more comfortably and closed my eyes again. He laughed and rubbed my back softly as I waited. I felt like he had more to say, but there was a closed-off look on his face, and I wasn't going to push him.

He patted my back once and went to sit up. I rolled onto my other side, pulling the blanket up higher as I felt the cool air hitting my sweaty skin. Gage pushed the hair off my face as I sighed.

"You're not being held prisoner here, I hope you know that. You do have free rein of the house for today, but tomorrow we'll have to leave and begin your training." He slid his hand from my face, down along my neck and to my arm.

I shivered involuntarily and he took my hand.

"Come on. Let's go get ready for today. I can give you some clothes and you can shower and such."

I reluctantly got out of bed and followed his to the dresser, where he retrieved a new pair of pants and a t-shirt. We walked across the hallway to a bathroom, and he left me to take my shower.

Of course it was cold, just like everything else in this house, but it was refreshing and it woke me up. I dried off and put on the clothes he'd given me, feeling clean and calm-sort of.

I didn't see him in his room, so I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. He was bustling around the kitchen, and the smell of French toast filled the air. I stopped in the doorway, watching him cook. He was so happy when he cooked, and I preferred it to the smart-ass attitude he had the rest of the time.

A few moments later he looked up and saw me, and his eyes traveled the length of my body before he waved me forward.