Lonely

Chapter 26, Sadie

I could tell something was bothering Hanger. It wasn’t the fact that he was silent. Tat was usual. But the look in his eyes fluctuated between anticipation and worry, fear and caution. At one point he looked so scared, I didn’t know what to do. I took his hand while he drove and leaned my shoulder against his, running a hand through his black hair.

“I don’t know what’s got you so worked up, but you need to stop. Your gonna have a nervous break down.” I said, trying to joke with him. He smiled a little at me, but didn’t appear to relax any. I stroked his arm, and he did calm down a little, became less tense. I was worried too, though. I didn’t know anything about where we were going. What if they separated us? What if this was a trap? I didn’t want to think about it, and I leaned my head on Hanger’s shoulder, shutting my eyes and soaking up the sunlight filtering through the window.

I hadn’t even realized I was sleeping until I woke up with a gasp. Hanger looked down at me, worried. “Whats wrong?” he asked quietly, tightening his grip on my hand. I had been dreaming about what might happen when we got there, and it hadn’t been anything good. I shook my head. “Did you get nightmares in the castle?” I asked him. He nodded.

“All the time.Mostly after the attack from the dog thing.”  He said it so casually I almost didn’t catch it. “The dog thing?” He nodded and looked down at his arm. I followed his gaze to the array of scars covering them. I touched one. “What happened?” I asked, suddenly very curious about them. I had always assumed they were just from accidents through out the years in the castle. It was stupid, rally, because no one should have that amount of scars just from there life. But Hanger’s life was different, and there were a lot of weird things in it.

“Remember when I told you the rules? How I wasn’t supposed to go near the door?” he asked, eyeing me. I nodded. “There were little boys near the door. I didn’t want anything to happen to them, and I was worried that they might get hurt. I didn’t know about the rule, really. I tried to get to them, to tell them to run, but they couldn’t see me. I told them to leave, but they looked so scared, and they started screaming. I think I scared them, ‘cause they couldn’t see me. Then this massive dog thing with slavering jaws and green eyes attacked me. I couldn’t fight back. I might as well have been hitting a brick wall.

“he left me barely able to move. The boys had gotten out, some how, but I didn’t know how. For days, I think, I lied there. I was barely alive. I was finally able to drag my self off and treat my wounds. After that, I never went near the doors.” When he finished, I felt like crying. I wished I could have been there, even though I doubted I could do anything. I went back to stroking his arm, wishing I could have been with him my entire life.

A while later, hanger pulled the car over. it wasn’t late. I looked up at him. “Why are we stopping?” I asked him, getting out with him. “This is it. We need to go into the woods.” He said, taking my hand. I gave it a squeeze. “Don’t worry. We’ll be okay.” I said as we entered the dark woods. When he gave me an aggrieved look, I yanked him to a stop and stood on my tip toes so I could be a little closer to his face. It didn’t work, so I put my hand on the back of his neck and brought him down to my level. “I am tired of your pessimism. Stop worrying, stop wondering, stop thinking about this. Nothing is going to happen to you, and nothing is going to happen to me! If this is a trap, then great. I would love to open a can of whop ass. Your grumpiness is not making the situation any better.” I said sternly, looking right into his black eyes. He nodded, and I smiled. “See, we’re gonna be just fine.” I murmured, then kissed him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He straightened, lifting me off the ground effortlessly. We broke away from each other.

“See, this is one of those things that boot camp explains.” He said, letting go of all of me, except one hand. I gave him a little smile as he led me into the woods.

Not too long later, we reached the spot we had been walking and driving for days for. The place that held Hangers memories, and hopefully, the answer to all of our problems.It was massive, actually, and I doubted if any one knew it was out there. It was a huge log cabin mansion. A porch wrapped around two sides of the house, circling around a tree. On the upper story, there was what appeared to be a wall of glass, and it looked over the forest. French doors were on the front, surrounded by quaint round windows. Perfect grass covered the ground, and gorgeous multi colored flowers were al around the house and in intricate patterns on the lawn. A stream literally babbled away in the back. The house gave off a friendly, warm glow, but I wasn’t about to be sucked into a trap. We hovered just inside the woods around the house. 

“I’m going in. you stay out here, just in case.” Hanger said. I shook my head. “No way. It could be dangerous, and we need to stay together.” I argued. He frowned at me. “If it’s dangerous, then you need to stay out here. I’m sure its just fine, and then I’ll be back out to get you.” I shook my head again, leaning back against the massive tree I was in front of. I could see he was about to try a new tack. He approached me at a slow, leisurely pace. He had mischievous glint in his eyes.

He put one hand on either side of the tree next to my head, trapping me. He leaned in so he was just an inch from my face. I froze, unable to think. “Come on, Sadie. You know its too dangerous.” He murmured, kissing the corner of my mouth. My breath caught in my throat. “Stay here, where it’s safe.” He kissed the other side of my lips. “Stay out here.” He said in the most persuasive, delicious voice ever, as soft as silk and as coaxing as a chocolate bar. he pressed his lips to mine, gently at first, but getting stronger and stronger. I sucked in a wild gasp of air and wrapped my arms around his neck as I felt his hands come to a rest on my waist, pulling me closer to him.

Finally, I broke away, but left my face an inch away. “Nope. Let’s go.” I said. He sighed and gave up. I took his hand as we walked towards the house, suddenly feeling much braver. WE walked out into the open, onto the soft, perfectly trimmed grass. I  squeezed Hangers hand  as we walked up the steps. His could be the thing he needed, or a trap.

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