Memory in a Bottle

Jace

Delilah's hands are in my hair and her legs are wrapped around my hips pulling me closer. She's making it hard to think. My hands have a mind of their own as they grip her hips tighter. She gasps and sighs my name.

"Jace..." That one word knocks some sense into me, and I pull away.

"Delilah, I can't believe I am saying this, but we need to slow down. I want this, god I really do but we need to slow it down. I love you; I really do." I caress her face. I kiss her forehead and nose. I sit up and got out of the car. She gets out as well. "Which car do you want to take? Mine or mom's?" She sighs and walks to mom's car. I thought that she would want to go in mine. I guess not. I get in the driver side as she enters the passenger side. She looks as if she's lost in thought. I wonder what she's thinking about. We get to the hospital and I park the car. She immediately gets out and starts walking to the entrance. I get out and jog to catch up with her. "Hey, what's wrong?" I ask her.

"Nothing, let's just get me discharged so that we can go back to your house." She says as she continues to walk in the hospital. I wait outside the hospital for a minute to calm down. Something's wrong with Delilah. Ever since she told me about the killings, she's been pushing me away. I don't understand what's going on with her. I need to find the underlying cause of this. I took a deep breath and entered the hospital. I search the sea of doctors, nurses, and patents for Delilah. I spot her in what looks like a heated conversation with Dexter. I walk over there as I do I hear the last bit of their conversation.

"-but you still didn't do anything! You knew what was happening and you just sat there!" Delilah replies angerly.

"Yes, I knew but I couldn't do anything. They were preventing me from doing anything! I had- I mean I still have a lot of things at risk. You do too." Dexter said sounding like he was pleading. Once Dexter saw me walking closer, he mumbled something in Delilah's ear. She looked over her shoulder searching, when her eyes landed on me something crossed her face. Regret? Hate? Anger? I couldn't identify it because as fast as it was there it was gone.

"What's going on?" I ask my voice sounding rough.

"Nothing." Delilah said immediately. "Can I leave now?"

"Uh... yeah, here." Dexter handed her the discharge papers. She took them and walked away. What the hell?! I chased after her only to find her gone. She wasn't anywhere. She just disappeared without a trace. My phone buzzed in my pocket as I looked for her. I grabbed my phone and saw an unknown number.

"Hello?" I answer looking around for her.

"Jace?" a familiar voice asks. My heart plummets as I realize it was Delilah.

"Delilah?! Where are you and who's phone are you using?"

"I'm only calling you to tell you don't look for me. I must hide, and I can't stay with you or else you and your mom will be in danger. I want you to be safe and the only way you will be is if I leave you. I'm sorry Jace. You don't need me I will find you when this is all over. I promise i will but for right now don't look for me. Don't try to find me. I love you Jace. I'm sorry that it has to be this way." She tells me. I freeze in my spot.

"Wait, Delilah, what's going on? I ca protect you. Please, love, don't leave me. I need you more than anything." I plead as my heart breaks.

"I'm sorry, Jace. I'm.... I'm breaking up with you. I need you to be safe from me and whoever is after me."

"NO! Delilah! Please don't do this to me! To us! Delilah-"

"I'm sorry, Jace." Then the phone clicked, and I stared at the blank screen. Rage tore through me.

"DAMN IT!!!" I scream throwing my phone across the parking lot. It hit my car as my knees gave out and I hit the ground. Why does she have to leave me? Why can't I be there for her and protect her? "Damn it, Delilah." I mumble weakly. Tears were rolling off my face landing on my jacket.