Everglow

Everglow: Prologue

They say people come,
They say people go;
This particular diamond was extra special.

Ten years ago....

Third Person.

It was the dead of night with the winter moon being the only light around.

The frosty air nipped harshly at the little girl's skin. She was dressed in a pair of black jeans and a thin black t-shirt. The only warmth she could gather was from her fluffy stuffed dog which she held tightly under her armpit.

Her other arm, however, was held in a tight grip by her mother; who was dragging her down a driveway towards a large house. She was feeling exhausted. Her little legs flew behind, not being able to keep up with the quick pace of the older woman. The world around her was moving by too fast.

"Mommy, slow down." The four year old whined at the ache in her legs and the pain of her Mother's nails digging into her wrist.

"There's no time, Rowan. Come on, we're almost there." Maria tightened the grip on her daughter's arm; she didn't care how rough she was being, she was nervous and on edge and all she needed was to get Rowan into the safety of that house.

A little spark of relief ignited inside of Maria once she had managed to get herself and Rowan to the front door, but it was quickly replaced by anxiety. First step is done, the next step won't be as simple, she thought.

Maria released Rowan's arm, freeing her from the tight grip she had on her and she rapidly knocked on the door.

"Who lives here, mommy?" The cutest frown had settled upon Rowan's face but Maria had to look away; her heart broke just knowing that if this goes to plan, she'll never see that face again after tonight. She hated the fact that it had come to this, but she's doing this for Rowan; Keeping her protected.

Maria ignored her daughter's question and started ringing the bell multiple times; growing more and more impatient by the second. Time was running out.

"Come on, answer the fucking door." She muttered.

The swear word that fell from Maria's lips did not slip past Rowan. "What does fucking mean?"

Maria sighed in frustration. Her mind was all over the place and she didn't have the mental capacity to even scold her own child for swearing. She needed to get this over with, so this time she used both fists to bang on the thick wood.

"Damon!! You need to open this goddamn door right now!" Maria wasn't stopping until that door was opened from the inside. She knew the risks she was taking by being so demanding towards the man who lived in the house; but she was desperate.

Rowan had stepped away slightly; not liking the way her mother was acting or the angry tone that was present in her mother's voice; which was very rare.

Maria suddenly stopped once she heard movement from inside. Heavy footsteps running down a staircase, keys jangling and then multiple clicks rattled through the door.

"Come here baby." Maria took ahold of Rowan's wrist again and pulled her close, just as the door before them swung open.

She should've known.

"Just hear me out." Maria managed to say as her breath hitched in the back of her throat.

She's familiar of being in this position, but that didn't stop her heart from skipping a beat out of pure fear every time she was staring down the barrel of a gun.

"What do you want Maria? How did you find me?" Damon's gruff voice spoke out as he stood in his door way, holding a handgun up to Maria's face.

Maria was lost for words; Damon's face and voice instantly took her back to four years ago which was the last time she was in his presence. This was the man she had fallen hopelessly in love with, the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. But she couldn't.