Runaway

Chapter 14 (Part 1)

Author's note:

Hey guys! The same thing again...because of the length I've had to part chapter 14 into two parts. Part 2 is coming later on today.

Enjoy it!

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Sanibel looked wonderful, especially in the sunset. Really. Daniel wondered why he hadn't spent more time here. The pink sky above the silver golden surface seemed almost unreal. As he was walking bare feet on the sand, Daniel was trying to recall the last time he was here.

Oh, yes! Sofia's funeral. The man frowned at the memory. In early April morning, just over a year ago, he, his friends, parents and the rest of Sofia's acquaintances were arranged in the rowing boats, while Arnold propped Sofia's ash on the somewhat restless surface of the sea. Daniel was looking at the ash merging with the sea. Sofia became the part of the sea, forever disappearing beneath the surface. He swallowed the lump in his throat and felt the weight from both sides. Zamira and Patricia were holding him under his arms, barely standing upright. Both women looked completely broken. Just as Daniel felt. He couldn't remember what any of them said to him because he was too absorbed in his own pain and loss. So much that he just retreated, not only for his friends but for emotions as well. That morning, Daniel had promised himself that he would not let any tears to fall anymore. The day Sofia died in her hospital bed, was the last day he cried over that loss.

Emotions only made him weak and Daniel wasn't weak. He could handle it. In his own way but he could.

As he was walking on the sand, absorbed in thoughts and memories, Daniel saw a familiar female figure in a certain distance. Suddenly, he was completely frozen in place, gasping in surprise and shock.

No...impossible. This is not happening. It was not possible.

„Sofia," he said quietly but the figure didn't move, still looking at the sea. Daniel took a shaky breath and swallowed hard.

„Sofia!" he shouted loudly.

The girl turned around and Daniel recognized Sofia's facial features. A person he thought he would never see again. He knew he would never see her again and yet...Sofia was here. She was a few feet away from him, smiling softly.

He ran forward, wanting to come in her close proximity. As he approached, Sofia's smile became wider. The man stopped just a few inches from her. She was looking straight to his eyes.

„Daniel," she said quietly, greeting him.

He immediately put his palms on her cheeks, feeling the heat. There was no coldness like in the hospital. That made him smile broadly.

„What? How?" he started to ask but Sofia interrupted him by putting her arms around his neck.

„Just hug me," she replied. Daniel didn't wait for a second. He lifted her and twisted around. He was so happy to see her. She was laughing loudly.

„I thought I would not see you again. How this happened?" he asked and Sofia smiled again...softly and nostalgically, looking into his eyes. „I miss you, Sofia."

She just caressed his cheek.

„I know. And I miss you too."

Daniel noticed she didn't offer him an explanation for her sudden appearance. He could no longer wait and just put his lips on hers. Sofia immediately kissed back. The tall man was sure he was flying. Spark was there even after over more than a year of them being separated. Daniel immediately remembered the taste of Sofia's lips.