Page 33 of Guarded By Death

I don't push it; I just want one more night with her. I try to comfort her the way only I can, but my heart sinks at the realization that we have no more bond. I can't fix all her problems with my touch anymore. I could but I won't invade her privacy that way, I won't force her to be okay. I simply wrap my arms tightly around her, tomorrow I will have let her go.

Nineteen

What day is it?

Feeling Pierce's arms wrap around me as I lay in bed with him in silence is such a calming experience. I’m immediately engulfed in his comfort. The way only he can heal my aching heart with a single touch overwhelms me.

I continue to stare out into the sea, I can't bring myself to talk. My throat is on fire from screaming but I have no energy to get a glass of water. I don't even have the energy to hold Pierce the way I need to.

I feel slightly better now; the images are still burned into my vision, but the moment he laid down next to me, I felt happy again.

I'm going to let my body heal, I know I'm traumatized. I'll talk when I'm ready. He's patient so I know he won't mind. I just need to be in my head a little longer.

I hesitantly let my body rest, knowing my nightmares will be tormented with blood and fear.

My heavy eyelids flutter open with the rising sun. I no longer feel Pierce’s arms around me, my hand frantically searches for his warm body. My heart goes cold when I realize I'm not at the unfamiliar beach house anymore, I'm in my bed.

My body jolts upward and I cringe at the sudden movement. My back hurts so bad I audibly wince when I stand. I glance at my clock to see the time and notice a note beside it, written in black ink.

Scar,

I’m so sorry, I’m so damn sorry. I can’t begin to find the words to tell you how remorseful I am. You will be safe from now on. The demon won’t haunt you anymore, and neither will I. The bond has been broken since last night, so I’m not sure this letter is even necessary. I may be writing it more for my own sanity than anything. Please take care of yourself.

I will keep you in my heart for the rest of my days, my love.

Sincerely,

Pierce

A loud thud booms through the room and I realize it was my body slamming against the hardwoods, I don't care to wince at the pain that it brings from my sore back. All I feel is the crushing of my heart from Pierce's finite absence, that pain is infinitely worse.

I lay here, on the cold flooring of my bedroom for what feels like hours, thankful my mom is at work, so she doesn't have to see me this way. I need to get out of here, I need to go to Liv's for a few days where I can welcome the darkness without having to pretend. I pull out my phone to text her.

Day One

‘Hey Liv, can you come to get me?’I send her, knowing I can't drive in my condition and anyways, my car is in the city. My phone rings almost immediately.

‘On my way, your mom thinks you're here anyways. You have to start telling me when I'm covering for you!’

The minutes tick by slowly before I hear her pull into the driveway.

I look down and see Pierce's black shirt on me, I cringe at the thought of never seeing him wear it again. I rip it off of me in haste and throw on another t-shirt and jeans before I head to the car, not worrying about my hair or anything else. I examine the bruise on my back in the mirror, it's large and it stings but I make sure to conceal it with a large shirt. I don't dare look at my face, I know I won't recognize the girl I see staring back at me.

I sink into Liv's passenger seat and she gives me an odd expression. "Why didn't you drive?" she asks as she examines my face.

"My car isn't here," I reply flatly.

"Yes, it is." She gestures to my silver Altima parked neatly in front of us. How did I not see it when I passed it? I guess Pier...he... brought it back.

"Oh."

With a huff, Liv crosses her arms over her chest. "What did he do?" She goes into best friend mode, ready to attack. When my response is a tear that trails down my cheek, she frowns. I don't have the energy to explain the impossible or make up some simple lie to explain my zombie-like state.

"Please, Liv. Just let me not think for a while. Can we please leave?" I plead with a small voice. My throat aches from the small amount of talking we’ve already done, and I can't be near my car right now, knowing he was in it such a short time ago makes my stomach flip. I don't care how desperate I look; I can't help the overly intense feelings that I feel for this man. He broke the bond, but it made no difference. I knew it wouldn't. He was always so worried about it, but it never mattered.

"Yeah, yeah of course." She gives me a small smile as she pulls out of my driveway, but I can see the anger in her eyes, directed at the man who hurt me.

Time passes quickly and I don't know where the day has gone as the sun starts sinking into the earth. Can't I go with it?

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