Winter's Edge

Chapter 34 - Taking

Abby

THE days passed and Abby continued to avoid me. Waiting for her to come around, as Asa had suggested, was driving me nuts. I had to do something.

Sitting just inside my door, I listened for Abby to return to her quarters for nearly two hours. Then I heard it—footsteps followed by a doorknob turning.

I sprang from my quarters, barged into Abby's room right behind her, and shut the door.

"Hey, get out!" Her voice was angry, but something about it told me it was for show. I didn't doubt she was truly annoyed. Her eyes told me that much. But there was more behind them than just anger. She was conflicted about something.

"Tell me why you're avoiding me and I'll leave." I folded my arms and gave her an unwavering stare.

"I don't owe you an explanation. Get out of my room. Now."

That's when I realized it was fear behind the anger. What was she so scared of? "Tell me and I'll leave."

She steeled herself, staring me down.

"Was it something I did?"

"No." She softened slightly and looked away.

"Then why'd you shut me out?"

"It's not you." Her lip quivered.

"Then what is it?"

"It's me, okay?" She didn't yell it, but it wasn't quiet either. She threw her hands down to her sides, frustration in her voice. "My dad left me thirteen years ago. Elian left me seven years ago. The Hunters captured my friend Thomas. Every guy who's ever been close to me has left." Her eyes sank with her shoulders as if she'd seen a small animal dead in the road. Had I really had this effect on her? "You don't understand. It's not the same with you. New people don't show up in Winter's Edge every day. I didn't ever think I'd find the right guy. I was fine with that."

I watched with a pained stare, not trusting if I were understanding her correctly. It almost sounded like she had feelings for me, but that interpretation could just as easily be coming from my crazed hormones.

"I've just never met anyone like you," she said. "I've never had butterflies in my stomach when a guy looks at me. I can't explain it. You do something to me I can't resist. It makes the world seem right. Complete. You make me feel..." She hesitated. "...loved."

That shocked me, especially after she'd run from me. The butterflies in my stomach were trying to tie it in knots right about then. I didn't know what to do.

"It scares me," she said. "It's so easy to be with you."

I started to move closer but thought better of it.

"But you'll leave just like the rest of them." Her voice was so weak and wounded now. "Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not a month from now, but you'll leave eventually, or the Hunters will capture you. Something always happens."

Watching the sorrow in her eyes tore me apart. I couldn't stand to see her in pain. It was too much to bear.

"I can't take it again, Ian. I just—"

And with that, I closed the distance between us, swept her up in my arms, and pressed my lips to hers.

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