Sliding down to the floor sitting in front of the bed; I start gathering my clothes, unable to see through the burn. I rush to put on my clothes afraid he will come back into the room but I stop at the sound of water. Creeping around the corner I see the bathroom door closed and make a run for it; closing my bedroom door behind me softly.
Breathless I pace in circles trying to keep myself from breaking down but an overwhelming tug at my heart sends me to the floor; hugging my legs while giving in to the feeling now consuming me, forcing me to rest my head on my knees.
•SHANE•
The cold water gushing down on me doesn't feel like it's doing anything, my whole body is on fire trying to figure out how I could have lost control. I stretch my arms and lean against the wall trying to steady my hands. My breathing becomes steady but the image of her steals my breath and then forces it back. An overpowering feeling of guilt sends me grabbing a towel; wrapping it around me, heading for the door.
Looking straight at my room I see she is not in there and stop in front of her door. Hesitant, I grab the handle and push it open slowly, tilting my head to see any sign of her.
I take a step forward seeing her in a ball curled up on the floor.
"Sage?"
Her silence pulls me towards her; kneeling, I reach for her hand. Her head shoots up making my heart drop at the sight of her swollen eyes.
•SAGE•
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" I lash out, gaining my balance, watching him jump back.
"Sage, I..." My ears throb at the sound of a whip echoing through the air, leaving behind a burning sensation against my palm. I gasp noticing his eyes squeezed together then flapping open staring straight at me. I stumble backwards trying to get away from him but was tugged back feeling his arms wrap around me; pressing my head against his chest.
"LET ME GO SHANE!" Panic pulses through me as I attempt to free myself but my attempt leaves me numb; forcing me to give in to every feeling running through me.
"Sage, I'm sorry... Just please listen..."
The warmth of his hand around my head sucks out the last bit of strength I have left; I close my eyes, standing motionless.
"I am really sorry for hurting you... I thought I could control myself... I promised you I wasn't going to touch you and now - I am so sorry for letting it get this far. I can't do this to you."
His heartbeat echoes in my ear as his grip tightens.
"I asked you to be honest with me... I know you wanted to... How could you not see I wanted it too?"
"Sage, you said you don't know what you feel." His breath falls heavy on my forehead, tilting my face up searching for my eyes.
"I wanted you to tell me if what you felt for me is real, the way you kissed me... Shane... I kissed you back. I want this! I want you!" His lips warm on my forehead as he lingers then fixes his eyes on me again.
"It was a moment of weakness. I got in your head... Have you forgotten why we are here? Have you forgotten about Devan? About Nikolai? Just understand I am trying to protect you and I won't be able to if I allow this to continue between us."
I wrap my fingers around his wrist letting out the air I have been keeping in.
"Shane... I don't remember Devan, how am I supposed to love someone I don't know! And I don't want Nikolai, because again I don't know him. But you... I know you, I want to know you... You will protect me. I trust you Shane, I-"
His sudden release leaves my words trapped in my mouth.
"Sage. Please stop. You don't know me..." He turns around and drops his head stopping in front of the door.
"I am really sorry about all of this."
•
•
•
I wake suddenly at the sound of a voice howling from the passage.
"Sage, didn't you hear me? I said pack, we are leaving."
He appears in front of the door giving me a quick look before turning around rushing down the hall.
Wait what?
"Shane!! What do you mean we are leaving?"
I fall out of bed and start running towards Shane, He pushes past me with his luggage turning towards the kitchen, I follow.
"Shane! Stop! What do you mean we are leaving?" I say breathless trying to keep up with him.
"I said pack." He snaps at me while setting his bag down.
"No! Tell me why!" I snap back grabbing his arm pulling him to face me. His eyes growing dark.
"They finished the interrogation. He knows."
Shock bounces on my spine; I drop his arm folding my arms against my chest.
"How does he know? But we are at a safe house, he can't find me here, so we'll be okay right?" Pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and finger, letting out a loud sigh.
"He is never going to stop Sage, don't you get it! Now pack! Let's go!"
I obey his command and storm off.
This is not happening.... Why? Why now?
Okay calm down, you are safe, no need to panic right?
What if he finds me?
What if... No stop it! Just pack... Just-
"-Are you done? Good! Let's go!" Shane's voice startles me and I lose my train of thought. I stumble as his grip pulls me behind him, carrying my bag in the other hand. Everything blurs around me at the speed we are moving and my eyes focus again when I sae two men standing outside the front door.
"Shane! Look!" I grab his hand pulling him back.
"They're with me." He looks at the door and carries on dragging me behind him.
"Wait Shane, why are they here? What's going on." Without pause he sighs and continues to speak: "They will be driving us."
I tug as hard as I can, forcing him to stop and turn to me. "Where are they taking us Shane?"
His eyes fixed to mine, he opens the door.
"Somewhere safe."
YOU ARE READING
Trigger - Part 1
Romance... "Where her heart belongs isn't your choice to make." ... ••• In a world where memories hold the key to a mysterious disappearance, Sage is trapped within the depths of her own mind, struggling to piece together fragments of her past and desper...
