Lace

18

Chapter 18

Years ago:

"Its's a bed!" he tried to argue but couldn't help the smile that slipped up.

I giggled, shaking my head. The night was cold and the only thing keeping me warm was a dusty little shall that Riley had pulled out of his bag. "That's not a bed silly!" I giggled again.

"Well it's not going to be a bed unless you use your imagination!" his tone was dismissive, as if it was the easiest thing in the world to understand. It made me giggle again, a bit harder and more whole heartedly this time. "Don't worry, when my dad comes, we won't have to imagine anymore" I giggle again, not realising that the man was as good as dead.

Riley coughed awkwardly, "so... um, where is he?" he scratched the back of his neck.

I told about my dad and the lady and about the little holiday he'd told me we were going on. Riley seemed angry, for a second I'd thought he was going to leave me, but instead he'd nodded, look my hand and sat me down on the makeshift cardboard 'bed' and smiled at me, "Don't worry, " he said "I'll get you a bed before your dad comes."

Present:

"Erebus, why don't I come with you? "I asked him, too anxious to be here on my own.

"Lace..." his voice was dismissive. It was clear that he'd given his order and I was in no position to question it. Despite the nagging urge that sent chills down my spine.

"I'll wait right here..." I said with reluctance and forged bravery.

I watched the beast's silhouette get lost in the sea of money and gold, taking away the bits of comfort with him and couldn't help remembering the feeling of my arms wrapped around him. Sure, I've been in that position before—my arms around him. But that was due to very different circumstances. Like when he was teaching me to give him a head lock, for instance. But this felt different... more exposed and intimate.

But it was nothing! I kept telling myself. It was just a hug, and he didn't even really hug back?

I scoffed at my thoughts, hating them for sounding like some hormonal 12-year-old with a crush on a boy band. If anything, instead of feeling tipsy and tingly I should be ashamed of myself. Ashamed of how damaged I am to feel such emotion from so little humanly contact after being deprived from most forms of affection for most of my life.

But I always had my Riley, but he thought be better than this, he thought me how to handle pain and my emotions. Erebus thought me better than this, he thought me how to control my emotions and embrace my pain and demand control. Neither of them thought me to be weak and cower at the presence of my past.

So, I let out a breath I didn't even know that I was holding and replaced the frailty in my bones with power.

I'm not that weak girl who slept on paper and hid in the shadows. I'm a powerful woman with a goal. A goal to get back my best friend, and I can't achiever that goal by cowering in the shadows again.

"Hey." A voice called out. I looked up to find a man, dressed in a crisp white suit and a gold tie. His red hair was slicked back and blue eyes stood out on his freckled face.

I smiled, having no interest in starting a conversation with a pretty boy. I just wanted Erebus to come back and for us to leave. I had no desire to stand her for a second longer.

"I'm Tom." He extended a hand, which I had no intention of taking in mine. I looked at his hand, noticing a wake of tattoos that disappeared under his suit, then looked away. "And you are?" he urged on.

"Not interested." I was clear in indicating how I felt about his forward behaviour. I didn't want it.

With a sigh I made way to leave only for my hand to be taken in his. He pulled me towards him as if I weighed nothing until my back was against his chest. "Let me go or I will scream." I spat through gritted teeth, gripping onto his arms which held me with twice the force.

I heard his chuckle, his chest vibrating with it then felt a poke on the small of my back. "I don't think that's a good idea Lacey."

"And why the hell not?"

"You know what? Go ahead, one call and your little grey eyed friend will leave the room with a bullet in his head."

I gasped; I couldn't help it. They couldn't have taken Erebus. He was a beast. The devil himself, they call him. No, they are lying.

"or maybe we can take him and get him acquainted with your other little friend? I'm sure that Riley would love to meet the other man in your life. "he laughed at his own sick joke. My heart fled from my chest, Goosebumps littered my skin and my vision started to blur.

"what do you want from me?" I looked up, my eyes meeting his blue ones which gleamed with excitement.

"I want you to come with me Lacey. Come with me and maybe both your little friends will see mercy." At any other time, I would have jumped to the offer, but something told me that he had no control over it. It was just false promises.

"Never!" I said before the small poke in my back became an unbearable pain.

"it's a pity really..." I heard tom say before I felt my body going limp.

I'm thinking of doing a Q and A sorta thing.

But does anyone actually have any questions? 😂

Feel free to ask them and I'll answer them in the next few chapters or maybe I'll have a part only for the Q and As

Other than that, today's kind of a suckish day so I'll give you guys the chance the rant about anything.

Literally anything. Just rant here.

Welp. Until next time.

Make good choices.

~Virgo

21/04/2020