Reckless

Chapter Twelve

        After the adrenaline settled, I could feel myself trembling. From the look on Derrick's guilt washed face, he could see I was trembling which no doubt made him feel worse. Whatever happened to him just now was terrifying and it gave me a sense of unease but that didn't mean I was afraid of him because I wasn't. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to calm myself, then I looked at Derrick as he sighed. 

        "Jacie, I'm sorry. I'll tell you what I can but we should head inside somewhere, your house or mine is fine." Derrick said as he looked at me apologetically.

        "Alright... My house is closer so we'll go there..." I said as I looked down, not sure how to feel.

        "Jacie? I really am sorry for startling you. Can I hold your hand while we walk?"

        Hearing Derrick sound so sad and overcome with guilt and uncertainty broke my heart and I looked at him with what I hoped was forgiveness and sympathy. "Of course you can. You're my boyfriend, Derrick. You don't have to ask to hold my hand."

        I smiled a bit as I held my hand out to him and he returned a small smile then took my hand and pulled me close as we began walking from the park back to my house. I stared at the pavement while we walked, afraid of what I was going to learn, though I was still determined to find out what was going on. Theory after theory raced through my mind but everything that came to mind seemed too ridiculous. I tried to shake the thoughts from my mind and tried to tell myself to just be patient and wait for Derrick's explanation but at that exact moment, an image of black feathered wings flashed through my mind and I shook my head. I'd seen that same image before somewhere, on multiple occasions, both while I was conscious and in my dreams. Something about the image gave me comfort but I was beginning to wonder if it was all connected.

        I looked up as we approached my house and I unlocked the door then together, we walked in. I walked over to the couch and sat down, then looked at Derrick who just stood in front of me awkwardly. "So... Where do I even begin?" he said nervously with a small chuckle.

        "Try the beginning and sit down. This seems like it's going to be a long story." I said as I gave him a small reassuring smile.

        "Alright, I'll do both then but before I begin explaining, I need to show you something..." 

        "What is it?" I asked curiously.

        Looking at Derrick, he seemed so troubled and distraught, like what he was about to show me and tell me was a huge burden, something to be ashamed of and that concerned me, more so for his sake than mine. Since talking with Aron, I'd been mentally preparing myself to hear the impossible so the impossible is what I was expecting. Derrick's eyes met mine and for the first time ever, I saw a resemblance of fear in them, and it broke my heart.

        "Jacie... This is serious, and this is really important. You have to understand that I'm beyond terrified right now. Terrified of causing trouble and something bad, and more than anything I'm terrified of losing you. I know that seems big to say since we haven't been together long but I promise it'll all make sense after I explain. What I'm about to show you... Please, please don't be afraid, okay?" Derrick said seriously and I knew that nothing he said was a lie, so I nodded.

        "I promise. Whatever you have to show me, I'll hear you out till the end."

        Derrick sighed and looked at me, still obviously reluctant. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and I watched in awe as a large set of beautiful black angel wings erupted from his back, almost too large while spread out for my already very large and open living room, then they folded close to his body and settled. He opened his eyes and looked at me uncertainly, but my body moved in silence as I stood, still in pure amazement, I slowly walked towards him, drawn by the beauty of his wings, and by the beauty of the radiant aura that was suddenly emanating from him. A mix of pure light and something beautifully chaotic and dark. I slowly reached out to touch one of his wings which he stretched forward and the silky smooth raven black feathers met my fingertips. The incredible softness sent a chill down my spine and ignited a spark in my nerves. On instinct, my fingers began tracing over every individual feather and I realized these were the same black and silver lined feathers I'd been finding.