NOT GIVING UP ON FOREVER

Chapter 71

"Where do I go, where do I go..." muttered the girl, making her way through the enormous snowdrifts.

Stepfather threw her out at dawn. It was winter. It was so cold that even breathing brought unbearable pain from the thin icy air in the morning.

She moped around to find some shelter and wait until morning to try again to enter the home and see if her stepdad had fallen asleep. All her books were in the house. Before going to school, she wanted to take the backpack, at least, if the usurper was still awake. For now, all she could do was wait.

Having reached an abandoned barn, she decided it would be warmer inside than outside. When she opened the rickety door, which creaked with oil-free screws, she was glad to find that there was no one in. Hobos or groups of freezing homeless animals usually inhabited such places.

She dropped into a corner and curled up, whispering a prayer of thanks, and fell asleep.

After a while, there was a rustle. As Anna opened her eyes, she saw her stepfather standing over her with an ax he was swinging to strike.

She screamed and...

She woke up.

Her breath caught in her throat, and her eyes filled with terror. She automatically turned to Teo, leaning over her with an expression of compassion and pain on his face.

"Another nightmare," he said, more in the affirmative than expecting an answer.

"Teo, I dreamed he wanted to kill me," Anna murmured, still trembling.

"Who is he?"

"Varrel. My stepfather."

"Did he try to kill you in reality?"

"No, he... He could never. He's a terrible man, but he wouldn't kill me, would he? Right, Teo? He's too weak for that. Teo?"

Teo sighed sadly and tried to comfort her by taking her in his arms. It was hard for him to understand what she was talking about because she mentioned nothing about her family. He knew that sometimes it was just superfluous.

Anna clung to his shoulders and held him tightly. She thought only she and Teo existed in the world now. She was so terrified that she couldn't think of anything to say about what was happening to her.

At last, gathering her wits and moving a little away from the hideous dream, she explained:

"My stepfather expressed an insuperable aversion to me and treated me terribly. I've learned to ignore that part of my life. In reality, I only stick to the positive side of things, but his words, his moves, his actions haunt my dreams, and there's nothing I can do. He reminds me that I am nobody, worthy only of defiance no matter what I do. I am incapable of anything and need to remember that above that level I will not go, I..."

"Shush," Teo closed her mouth with a kiss. "Don't prattle that evil. You're not nobody. You're the most beautiful girl in the world, and you drive everyone crazy with your beauty. Look what cockfights are happening because of you!"

Anna forced a smile and faded again.

"Thanks for the support, Teo. But I know what I am. Very nice of you..."

"Your stepdad is a low-life. I can see he's ruined your life and your self-esteem, but you know what? I'm not going to give you a 'love yourself so others will love you' speech. I already love you, despite all the horrible thoughts and labels you've put on yourself because of that Varnall."

"Varrel."

"Yeah, right. Whatever name they gave him at birth, they had to stop at the word low-life."

He showered her with encouraging kisses and offered to go to the kitchen to find some mineral water for his hangover and something to cheer her up.

She nodded, and they headed for the kitchen. As soon as they sat at the table, Anna said:

"I'm sorry about everything, Teo."

"Let's not talk about it, Ann."

"Forgive me."

He looked away, pretending to look for something to eat in the refrigerator.

"I am truly sorry, Teo..."

Anna caught her breath and looked at Teo, expecting to see anger or disappointment. But his face was impossible to understand. It was like a stone and expressed nothing.

"Teo, I just..."

"It's all right, Anna."

"I'll give you some time alone."

"Certainly."

She went out of the kitchen, hiding her tears.

Teo sank into a chair and closed his eyes, thinking even if she ever loved him, he would be the happiest man on the planet.

But fate always has its plans.

"Is this the end..." he rhetorically uttered in a whisper and buried his face in his hands.