In Shades of Forever

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

When I wake up I do so to unfamiliar surroundings. Perhaps it's the influence of whatever drug had been in that saline bag, but my mind is hazy. It takes me more than a few moments to realize that the extravagantly decorated room I am in is not, in fact, my hospital room.

"Ahhh, Chloe. You're finally awake. It's not polite to keep me waiting, especially after so many years of missing you."

That voice... No! I know that voice!

I still can barely see straight, and even though his face is before me I can't make out any details. But I don't need my eyesight to recognize Jacob.

His long, boney fingers caress my cheek. I shudder at the sensation. I had hoped never to feel this man's touch again. Suddenly, I remember what I'd forgotten in the hospital room. All of the reasons why I intended never to be found come rushing back to me.

"You should know that it isn't polite to stalk a girl, " I retort bitterly. "Surely you're not crazy enough to believe that I wanted this reunion."

I turn my face away from him as he chortles happily.

"Still got that fighting spirit then. Lovely. I'm going to enjoy taming it." He tells me, voice dripping with sleazy intentions.

"You won't, " I retort angrily. "There might not have been anyone too look for me before, but there are people now who won't allow me to just disappear."

He begins to shake, angered by my words.

"Oh, " he tells me violently "I know all about those men that you've been living with. I know everything."

He smiles creepily, pearly whites on full display. He looks absolutely maniacal.

"Of course, the one called Taehyung might have to be the first to die. You didn't let him touch what was mine did you?"

I shiver, eyes widening in fear as he watches me. His own eyes narrow in rage, taking my lack of response as confirmation of mine and Tae's deeds.

"He did, didn't he?" He snarls. 

"It's not really any of your business," I tell him.

I'm trying to show him that I'm not afraid. Too bad that every part of me is shaking in fear, even my voice.

"But you see," he tells me, leaning in to stare directly into my face. "It is my business."

I stare at him right back, silently defiant despite the odds. What are the chances that the boys will actually be able to find me? And, honestly, aside from Tae who would really want to? Sure, aside from Jungkook they'd all been kind to me. But would they really go out of their way to look for me? All things considered, I'm not feeling too confident at the moment.

"Did you finally realize that they won't be coming for you after all?" This devil of a man whispers against the skin of my cheek. "You should have already known that."

I can't help but recoil at his touch.

Maybe I did something terrible in a last life. Maybe I deserve this. I always knew that I would eventually be caught. I was simply stating for time against an inevitable outcome. So why do I feel so much regret? So much disappointment?

I think back to Jin, and his delicious cooking. Sassy as he was, I really believed that underneath it all was a man who truly cared. There was a warmth to him, the likes of which I'd only ever experienced once.

Mother had been like that too.

And Yoongi, despite his prickliness and difficult to swallow personality, he'd cared too. Always so eager to proclaim how little he cared, but he'd be the first by your side. Quietly looking after you when you aren't watching, and always putting others before himself. How many times had I noticed dark circles beneath his eyes, a result of his worry for not only his brothers but myself as well?

Of course, I will never be able to forget Taehyung. From the day he'd saved me from walking into the street I've felt an undeniable pull towards him. Like magnetism, despite my instance otherwise. If I could just view the world from his eyes once... It would be such a beautiful sight to behold.

No matter how much I'd denied it, I wanted to be his. Wholly, in body and soul, I would have been. Despite his innocence, or maybe even because of it, that domineering side of Taehyung had me wrapped around his finger entirely.

I love him.

What a hopeless time to realize such a thing. His comforting soul is nowhere to be found, and I will most likely never feel his embrace again. And when he dies? Well, I won't even know.

My life is over. The happy dream that living with Taehyung has been is now shattered, and nothing will bring that back. No amount of tears could have saved Tae from the beginning, but I'm still not ready to say goodbye.

I begin to shake, tears of sorrow streaming down my cheeks like twin rivers of anguish. Why? Why do I have to say goodbye? Why can't Jacob just leave me alone? Why does he have to be so obsessed with me, of all the women in the world?

"Shh love, don't cry." He tells me, stroking skin delicately.

But no matter how gentle the touch it still makes me want to retch.