Trepidation || j. g ||

| h o m e m a d e d y n a m i t e |

JAKE AND ATHENA sat knee to knee, their foreheads touching and eyes closed as the two sat in demeaning silence. Both were still clad in their wedding garments; though the once pristine ensembles took on a more grueling appearance. Athena's bright white gown was now tainted with heavy splatters of blood; the color very reminiscent to Athena as her hands were covered in it. She had stopped shaking only a moment ago, as she was indeed having an anxiety attack after the events of the day. She could not stop thinking about her father. The blood that covered her ivory toned skin spoke volumes-this was her life.

Jake could feel the tension in his wife's silence, as it could not be masked by their attire. He brought his hand up to caress Athena's tear-stained and blood splattered face. She looked at Jake with sad eyes, her shaking hand claiming his wrist as she leaned her face forward. They kissed but only for a brief moment, as she above all get emotionally drained. This was the first time she had actually done it and did not once bat an eye.

Athena had, surprisingly, helped Jake and Dawson kill that man. Jake had stabbed him multiple times, but that wasn't enough. This man had fought for his life with undeniable vigor-Athena was the one to end his life for good. She had used the shotgun the man had threatened them with, firing at the man's face without another thought. She had reached it before he ever had the chance to. Athena couldn't stand on her own since entering their home deep in the woods of Minneola. She had inevitable collapsed in the hallway, Jake rushing to her side to calm her speeding anxiety. They hadn't moved for two hours.

"They're going to find us." Athena sobbed, burying her shaking face into Jake's now pink-tinged white shirt.

"No, no they're not. Dawson is taking care of everything. You have nothing to worry about."

"I killed him, it was me. I killed that man. This was all my fault! I should've never said YES!" She screamed, her cries racking the otherwise silent home as Jake outwardly shuddered at her confession.

"Us getting married had nothing to do with our situation, Thee," Jake states lowly but, his doting wife wasn't taking the bait so easily.

"Yes, it is! If we weren't there, those men wouldn't have seen us and threatened us! People know about us, Jake. They know what you-we've done. We aren't safe anymore, we're not."

Jake stares at Athena, as he suddenly became fully aware of what she was saying. It was completely true. The couple was no longer safe in their secluded home in the woods, nor were they erased from the minds of the public. In fact, they were in for a little surprise. Too bad they wouldn't be the first.

-

Dawson Park had just finished cleaning the crime scene with two of his best men, the fluorescent blue gloves smacking a bit too loudly for comfort as he tore them from his ivory skin with a sigh of relief.

"Looking good, boys. We better get a move on before sunrise-"

The sky was an extensive abyss of indigo littered with an abundance of tiny stars that resembled that of diamonds. The air was humid, flutters of footsteps and plastic tarp the only things heard in the small deserted space of dirt and trees. Dawson gave a deep sigh, looking out into the slopes of land among the horizon. He took a mental picture. The hues of deep blue and just the lightest shade of periwinkle that seemed to be swirled just right to even out the darkness. Dawson took out a cigarette, reveling in the now silent space as his guys had driven out. He was so enraptured by the calm that he hadn't taken notice to the near-silent sound of footsteps walking up from behind him.

Dawson hadn't even taken a second drag of his cigarette before he was grabbed from around his neck and pulled backward and onto the dirt below him. Struggling, Dawson did everything in his power to fight back the three men in the darkness. He hadn't seen their faces, only heard their gruff voices as they continuously beat him down. Dawson could barely breathe, his vision becoming splotchy before completely turning dark.

-

Athena stared out of the dark window of her and Jake Abbey's shared bedroom. The moonlight cast a faint shadow into their room, giving Athena's near naked body an angelic glow. She wore only a silk ivory robe, which she let expose her left shoulder as she stared at nothing in particular. Jake's calloused hands gently gripped at Athena's shoulders, prompting her to blink back into reality.

Jake nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, his arms wrapping around the curvature of her waist as she leaned into him. A small smile made its way into Athena's soft features as she closed her eyes for a moment. This was nice for the pair. A moment away from the madness, the silence wasn't at all defeating for them. Rather, it brought much solace.

"I'm sorry for getting angry at you earlier. I was really overwhelmed." Athena whispered softly, her eyes settling upon the white windowsill of the window.

"I just get so scared." She stated, her voice hoarse as she tried to keep her emotions at bay.

Jake realized the tone in her voice and turned to face her. He caressed the skin of her cheeks softly as he gave a trying smile.

"You don't have to apologize. I understand. I should be the one apologizing."

Athena shook her head slightly, her eyes seeming to shine as she looked up at her husband. A slight scruff began to form around his face, just enough stubble for Athena to run her fingers over. She loved it this way.

"Don't. We're going to be okay." Athena replied, clearing her throat as he tightened his grip around her waist.

She smiled because she knew where this was going.

Jake began to sway with Athena, a small but giddy grin enveloping his gruff features as he began to lightly sing as they glided across the wooden floor of their seemingly large bedroom.

"...restless hearts sleep alone tonight...sendin' all my love along the wire..."

Athena placed her head on Jake's shoulder, tears springing in her eyes as she closed them. She listened as Jake sang to her quietly, her lips forcing upwards into a childish grin as he spun her outwards and back into his strong arms.

"I'm forever yours, faithfully." He continued, watching as Athena's cheeks warmed at the lyrics he chose just for her.

They stood there for a moment, basked in the white moonlight and warmth of their love with so much on their minds yet not enough to say. Everything was perfect. Magical, even. Oh, but the Abbey's could never stay in such a placid state. You already knew that, didn't you?