Page 87 of Stitches

If I faced my fears, I’d get better. I’d talk more. I’d smile more. Maybe I’d even sing and dance again.

I felt him before I saw him.

He was the warmth that swept into the clearing. I didn’t turn to face him even though I knew he was standing behind me as I sat on the cold forest ground.

“I admire how brave you are,” Mirage said in a soft voice.

Slowly, I got to my feet and turned to face him.

His rabbit mask was firmly in place as he stared me down, his black attire nearly matching mine, complete with black Chucks.

I swallowed, staring back at him.

“You’re sad,” he commented.

I remained silent, causing him to step closer.

“Don’t shut down on me,” he said gently. “I’m not the enemy.”

He reached out and ran his knuckles along my jaw before tangling his fingers in my hair and drawing me against his body in a tight embrace.

“You’re freezing,” he murmured. “Let me warm you.”

I sagged against him, relishing in all that was Mirage. A tear trickled out followed by another. I felt like all I did lately was cry.

“I cry too,” he said, holding me against his body. “Too often if truth be told.”

I hugged him back, making him let out a soft breath, his arms tightening around me.

“There you are.” His lips were at my ear. “There’s my girl. It won’t hurt forever. Everything has a purpose, even the pain we are forced to endure. It makes us stronger. I’m so sorry for all you’ve endured.”

We stayed holding onto one another for what felt like hours before he finally pulled away from me.

“Do you want to forget your world for a moment and get lost in mine?” he asked.

I stared up at him, intrigued. I wanted to be out of my head in the worst way.

“Tell me,” he whispered.

Yes.

He smiled at me and backed away.

“You be the fox. I’ll be the rabbit. Catch me if you can.” He darted off into the night while I stood there for a moment, not sure what I was doing.

Finally, a smile touched my lips, and I shot off in the direction he’d gone, the brush cracking beneath my feet as I ran and the cool wind in my hair. I streaked through the darkness, feeling more alive than I’d felt in a long time.

I knew this game.

It was calledChase.

I was usually the rabbit though.

I continued to run through the darkened woods, my eyes drinking everything in as best I could as I raced through the night.

Mirage’s laughter sounded out around me, pushing me harder.

“What will you do when you catch me?” his voice echoed in the night.

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