TouchNode | Complete

14 | Eyes

Show me the windows to your soul, and I'll show you just how dark they are.

"Whatever it is you're thinking of doing, Devani." Olive grasped my hand across the bar tightly, "please don't."

Her sable hair had been cut recently, and evenly measured around the distinct line of her jaw. Dark eyes pleaded with me silently, burning full of questions she knew she couldn't ask with the wondering ears around. My lips rolled inward, and I grasped her extended hand in my mine - hoping that she understood that I knew what I was doing. But as I walked out of the third balcony door in the dining hall and out into the yard, nervousness pitched the base of my belly.

The sun was high in the sky, shining bright, warm rays of light onto the blooming garden. I touched the satin-like petals of the roses, tulips and lilacs as I passed and took a deep breath to the wispy, floral scent of springtime. Fresh morning dew soaked the sides of the sandals on my feet, darkening the bright red strings.

My head turned as I searched the undergrowth teeming with brushes, trees and brambles for Dante's figure. Olive begrudgingly told me that Dante usually spent his mornings at the rear of the garden at the east. Today, he had opted for the man-made lake nestled behind the three acres of garden.

Carter had it built a few years before I came aboard. It was the clearest blue water I'd ever seen. And with the docks and slips that were added to the water's edge - we could go out on one of the boats to relax anytime we wanted. That's where I found Dante, sitting at the water's center, with the oar of the kayak he occupied resting on his lap.

He looked like a painting. Rich, brown hair framed his face, it blazed around his head like a halo under the sun's rays. His eyes were focused solely on me as I rowed towards him, sparkling with interest. A smirk had overtaken his mouth, and the cocky look in his eyes reminded me of the first time we ever saw each other.

I mimicked him as my kayak neared his, placing the oar across my lap and letting the single person canoe float to a stop next to him. Our gazes clung together, wearily watching each other. My body relaxed slowly as the water lulled my kayak side-to-side, but I cast an eye around the area to ensure we were alone and sighed.

"You've wistfully sighed four times in the last 30 seconds." His voice brought me out of my paranoid searching. "That can't be good."

"This is a beautiful place to be."

He nodded, "which is why I always come alone." Blood rushed to my cheeks, but I didn't respond to his comment. Adjusting his windbreaker, Dante settled deeper into the kayak and fixed me with a hostile glare. "Are you going to tell me why you're here?"

"Yes," I dropped my voice to a whisper and gathered a deep breath of air into my lungs. The heat on the water was oppressive, but the cool air wafting from the surface blasted upwards every time we moved. Swallowing my fear, I raised my eyes to his. "Is it true? Do you help people escape?"

Anger flared in the depths of his eyes, "I don't do that anymore. Why are you asking?"

"I was told that was what you used to do."

"Yes," he spat, "used to. Now, I spend my evenings being fucked."

"Can you--"

"No! Whatever you're asking, the answer is no!"

"Dante," I struggled to catch up to him as he rowed away. "Please!"

"Leave me alone, Devani. I'm not having this conversation with you!"

He jumped out of the kayak at the shore, abandoning it on the soft sand bordering the waving waters. Quickly Dante threw away the windbreaker he was wearing, chucking it down and power walked towards the treeline. I followed suit, thrusting my lifejacket to the side and flinging the oar as far from me as possible. Then, I stomped after him, yelling his name.