Chasing Chaos

Chapter 12

12.

The sky was more than just pink, it also had some blue and red mixed into it. The wind played with my hair and chilled my skin. There was a wall behind Austin's house that blocked off a forest. On top of the wall was a perfect view of the sunrise. I closed my eyes, listened to the wind and let myself melt into the cool air.

A new scent entered my nostrils and breathing reached my ears. Austin.

For a few minutes he stayed silent. But Austin wasn't one to stay silent for long, "I'm sorry about yesterday. That was insane. Your memories were not like ones that I've ever seen before."

I kept my eyes closed. "What do you mean?"

"Your memories were about protecting others. Every single other persons were about themselves. Even your mothers."

I allowed myself to look into his eyes and let go of the air inside of me, "Really?"

He nodded, "here come with me."

He climbed down the wall and I followed behind him. When we got to the ground he sat on a rock and waited for me, "when did you get so good at shooting bows?"

I smiled as tears rolled down my face. I didn't want to hurt Austin but I needed to be left alone. "I'm sorry" I sniffled, "I just need to be alone right now." I sat against the wall as tears ran down my face. I closed my eyes and held them closed for what felt like forever. Austin had left. I was hurting everyone in my path. Even myself.

Arms wrapped around me and pulled me into a hug, "I'm not going to leave you alone, even if you want me to."

My tears streamed into Austin's shirt and my breathing became faster.

"I don't care how much you think you messed up. You're doing better than you think. Desi, you're the strongest person I know on this planet."

My body shook as Austin pulled himself away. He cupped my face is his hands and forced me to look him in the eyes, "everything is going to be alright. You're not going to get hurt. Not while I'm still breathing. I promise." He whiped my tears away and waited for my response.

I allowed myself to smile a little, "you know promises are a big thing to keep."

He smiled and nodded, "I don't care what it takes to keep you alive."

Warmth spread through my body and the tears stopped. Austin's hands kept my face warm and my mind calm. "I need to get some of my stuff from home. I need to see my father again." I didn't know anything about the future anymore. I wasn't garunteed to live.

Austin nodded, "we can do that. I'll get the truck."

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

I watched Austin as he drove. His face focused and his eyes on the road. "Where's your dad today?"

"He's doing some research at a facility with some others who know about you."

I nodded and let my breath out, "does he know you're driving me here?"

Austin shrugged, "he knew you were gonna have to get your stuff at some point."

The rest of the ride was quiet until we reached my apartment and Austin pulled into the driveway.

My hand rested on the door handle. I took a deep breath and opened the door to get out. Austin stayed in the car and watched me walk up the stairs and to our door. I knocked once, but not hard enough. I took another deep breath and knocked harder. For a second I thought no one was home. Then the door opened and my father stood in front of me.