dawn

Part 3 Finale, Chapter 39

Ariel

I fixed up the house. Twice.

“Relax, cupcake. Eric knows what he’s doing,” she snarled again.

All morning I had been agitating her but I couldn’t bring myself to stop. I was always so anxious when Eric was out and it didn’t help that in a few short moments, I would be saying goodbye to him for what seem like forever. It really felt as though Monday or Tuesday would never come and neither would he.

I didn’t like the feeling. It made me want to do something but I didn’t and that made it worse. But what was I supposed to act on? A feeling? What was I supposed to say? Send Edmund instead? Of course not! Eric was the leader of the band and it was nothing short than his duty to protect them.

I just hated the feeling as much as I dreaded it. What did it mean? It felt like the cycle wouldn’t finish and the afternoon would never come and neither would he. I tried to see my future and I couldn’t see him in it. I couldn’t see the next week when everything would be secure and the hunt would end and GRAY would have to leave. I didn’t see Eric laughing again, being himself, making me embarrassed and speechless. I couldn’t see Eric at all. Past, future, and present.

“Will you leave her alone?” Edmund’s voice broke the heavy clouds. “Would you feel more comfortable if I went with him?”

“No!” I didn’t even let him finish. I felt bad. I felt greedy.

“Pick one, for God’s sake,” Angeline muttered what I was thinking.

My face heated up and I wasn’t sure if I was turning pinky but I immediately turned around. “Excuse me,” and I ran up the steps.

“Leave her alone,” Edmund grumbled back in the kitchen.

It was near nightfall and I had torn up all the tissues in a brand new box. I dragged my feet in a short line segment in front of the repaired glass door, making a trail of fluff in my path. Eric hadn’t called and the guards that were in charge of watching me particularly close that first evening hadn’t arrived or called.

I tried not to be so clingy and it hurt me to think that I would be if I made the call but I had to let him work. I wouldn’t come between him and what he loved.

There was a tap. It was only one before I stumbled over, colliding with the glass. I threw the door open and it slammed and slightly bounced off the other side. The fluff blew away at my feet.

He noted that before he could look up. There wasn’t anything but solid silver. Had he expected me to worry? Did he not care? “I’m headed to meet the guys up,” he said, straightening up, wearing his favorite black outfit. “Stay inside, alright?”

I nodded quickly.

“Where are the guards?” his eyebrows drew in.

I shook my head. “They haven’t arrived,”

“I’ll take care of her,” Edmund assured from the threshold of the living room.

Eric glared.

I turned back and Edmund was glaring back.What was wrong with them? I held my breath, watching them, trying not to move. I wanted to know what they were thinking but it was confusing.

“Yeah,” Angeline stood next to Edmund. “We might not be much together, but the guards will get here sooner or later.”

“Yeah,”

I turned to Eric just as he pulled me out and toward the edge of the woods.

We stood out there. Something in my heart appreciated that he took me aside. It meant more to me than he could ever understand.