Gone

Chapter 7 Cautious Steps

(Recap)

I followed him across the land until he walked under a giant electrical tower and stopped.

"Have you ever climbed one of these?" He asked in a sort of excited tone.

I shake my head sort of shyly, unable to speak.

"Do you want to?" He turned towards me and looked at me in a way that made my face turn a bright crimson color.

I couldn't tell what he was thinking in that moment but all i knew was i didn't care how dangerous this was i trusted him completely...

*Elisabeth' s point of view*

I had always viewed these things from a far and I had no clue how to even begin to clime one. However I look to Anthony guessing he would still be pretty close to the ground. My eyes widened when I see him already on the flat bar of the electrical tower. He had just climbed it as if it were a child's toy and i'm barely off the ground.

He saw he looking at him and asked "Having trouble?" determined not to look weak I said no and continued my pursue up the metal obstacle. I finally got up to where he was and sat down catching my breath.

"Not so easy your first time huh?" he questioned with a friendly smile. "Yeh..... how often do you do this?" "Not to often. Do you like it?" he looked at me waiting for an answer. I stood up "Yeah I do" i said looking at him with bright eyes. He smiled and got down with a few jumps.

"Come on" He called out as he walked away. "where are we going?" I called after him. He turned towards me. "You didn't think this was it, did you?" He turned away again and continued to jog away. I giggled and got down as fast as i could getting a few scratches on the way down. I ran after him, and again we were under another electrical pole except this one was taller and slimmer with less to hold on to.

Again i watched him clime this one with ease and i couldn't help but admire his flexing muscles and his hair flowing in the air. He looked like he didn't have a care in the world. Like for some reason the outside world gave him comfort. He noticed me looking and smirked. "You coming?" i looked at the electrical tower. It was so thin, and shaky. and quite honestly i didn't think i was tall enough to reach the 'ladder'.

I quickly think of an excuse. "I twisted my ankle on the way down from the last one." I smile sweetly and sit down. He looked at me obviously detecting the lie however he didn't pay much attention to it and continued is exploration of the bars.

I don't know why but somehow in that moment everything just.... it felt right. like I could put aside all of my problems in the world. I could forget Jacob, my mom, everything. And having him there somehow made me feel at peace.

After a while we headed back to the park and sat on the playground's play set. He climbed up the steps and layed down in the red tube (ha sex joke) .

We talked for a bit mostly about random stuff and ex's came into the topic. He talked about a girl he used to date. How she had some issues and his she delt with them. It was the first time I had ever heard or someone else in our school who wasn't 'normal'.

I sat up and sighed, he gave me a confused but concerned look. " What is it?" he asked me. Without a second thought i pulled up my sleeve. He looked at my arm but didn't say anything. he just looked towards the floor. After a moment i breathed in a mouthful of air preparing myself to break the awkward silence. "It happened a few nights ago. I don't think it is much but it still hurts."

"Yeah I saw." He finally replied. " I .. Um.." he sounded cautious with his words as if walking on creaky floor boards trying to be the quietest you can. "I've known people and have friends who cut. It's more common than you think. I've personally never cut however there are many other ways that people cope that are similar to the experience of cutting. Punching things/people, burning. It's all to relieve stress or may be just to feel alive.

I couldn't help but to just listen in awe. His once cautious words have melted into confident knowledgeable information. He turned to look at me frequently to see if I was confused or if I had anything to add. His gaze was warm and inviting. For the first time I felt as if I could talk about myself and I wouldn't be judged for it.

It felt as if we had only been talking for second, I could have listened for hours. just a few nights before i felt alone and was ready to end my life, but in just in a span of 3 hours he managed to make me truly smile more than I had in weeks, and answer so many questions, even some that i didn't even know I had.

My parents always had a time that they wanted me home because they are worried about me being kidnapped or making bad decisions. i always try to keep a close eyes on my phone because i usually like to give myself 5 minutes to get home. I finally manage to tear my attention from his voice and look at the time.

HOLLY SHIT IS 6:50 I HAVE TO ME HOME IN 2 MINUTES.

I turned to Anthony and apologized profusely. "I'm sorry I lost track of time. I have to get home or my parents will kill me." I gathered my stuff in a hurry. I kept dropping everything and I kept apologizing a nervous wreck. Anthony slowly got up and handed me my phone. "It alright just don't be late." His eyes were filled with sympathy. I gave him a grateful nod and headed home.I was a minute and a half late but lucky my parents didn't notice.

I felt extremely dirty so I threw my phone on my bed then headed to the shower. I stayed in the water for at least and hour letting it comfort me. I don't know what it was about water, but something about the way the water droplets ran down my skin soothed my heart and calmed my mind. I reluctantly got out and got dressed. I looked into the mirror and began counting "one.. two... three.. four........" I slowly counted each one of my imperfections and flaws. I gave up somewhere after 50 and then went to my room prepared for the lonely night ahead of me.

I later down and picked up my phone. I began scrolling through Instagram. I noticed someone had texted me and I went to my direct messages. "One unread message from Anthony." I squeaked and threw my phone across the room falling off my bed in the process. I lifted myself to my knees and looked at my phone. My eyes were just above the mattress so I looked like a hippo in the water.

After a few moments I got back onto my bed and grabbed my phone. I opened my messages and it said " I don't quite know what is going on but if you need someone I'm always here." Those few words made my heart soar I blushed brightly and smiled. I must have re-read it 100 times because when I looked at the clock again a half hour had already passed.

Realizing how late it was I turned off my light and returned to my bed for 'sleep'. But to my surprise I was happy. I grabbed my phone and re-read the message one more time. Holding the phone to my chest I drifted to sleep.