Page 50 of Encircled in Darkness
I sat down with him and Nova jumped across the dining room table before settling on my lap. “He’s an asshole, but he loves her.” Glancing over my shoulder, I looked back at Skid. “How does she seem to be doing?”
“She took a shower and tried to eat something when we got here but she’s been quiet. She’s lying down and I didn’t want to bother her. I can’t imagine how much pain she’s in right now.”
“I can’t thank you enough for doing what you did. You saved her.”
“I like Amaya. She’s one tough chick.” He smiled as we heard footsteps enter the living room.
She walked in, her hair hanging wet down her back and wearing a thick cotton robe. Nova jumped down and wove in between her legs. She picked him up and he rubbed against her cheek as she looked between Skid and me.
Setting the cat down, she went to Skid and spoke, a slight tremble in her voice. “Thank you for sending your friend to help me. I didn’t know...” clearing her voice, she started again, her brown eyes glistening. “I...”
He stood and with a quick glance to me, opened his arms to her. She wrapped her arms around him and mumbled. “Thank you, Dalton.”
He patted her on the back and replied. “You’re going to get through this, Amaya.”
She nodded and he offered me his fist. I stood and tapped my knuckles to his before he turned and left us alone in my apartment. Walking to her, I lifted her face and saw the bruises turning blue and black on her face. I fought the anger, wanting to kill Victor again for touching her.
She pressed up to her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around my neck. I pulled her into a deep hug, breathing in her clean scent. Realizing I was still in my hunting clothes. I pushed back from her slightly.
“Let me get you settled so I can take a shower.”
She nodded and I took her by the hand, guiding her to the balcony overlooking Pierce Lake. She sat down on one of the overstuffed chairs and pulled her legs up into her lap, tightening the robe around her neck. Kissing her on the top of the head, I walked into the kitchen and found the small box in the drawer. Pulling out a pre-rolled joint, I returned to the balcony and saw she was staring out at the water, Nova contently curled in her lap.
Kneeling in front of her, I took her by the hands and looked deeply into her eyes. I saw sadness staring back at me, but the painful darkness was no longer present. She gazed at me and I kissed both of her hands before placing them over my heart.
“I killed them all and made them pay for what they did. They’ll never be able to hurt another person again.” The monster wanted her praise and adulations for destroying them and would gladly show his belly for Amaya’s gratitude.
She smiled at me and exhaled deeply. “I’m glad their dead. Will we get in trouble?” her voice was small and scared.
Brushing a piece of hair off her face, I explained. “No one will miss them, and nothing will ever come back on us. I promise.”
Tears fell from her beautifully sad eyes and I kissed her softly. The monster wanted to taste her, feast on her until she couldn’t take any more pleasure, but it worried me she wouldn’t be able to be with me without thinking of what happened to her sister. If it was years before she let me touch her again, I would be happy just to hold her for eternity.
I left her on the balcony with the joint and the cat while I took a shower and changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Coming back to the balcony, I found her standing, her arms on the banister and her eyes locked on the water.
Amaya
I could feel Natalia all around me, her beautiful spirit shining brightly as the orange sky turned grey and finally black. I lit the joint James had left me and stood from my chair. Nova complained about his lack of attention before pawing at the door to go back inside. Opening the door for him, I went to the banister and took a draw, feeling the tingles begin to spread throughout my body.
I watched as the lights on the far side of the lake twinkled through the trees and closed my eyes, fighting the tears that threatened to fall. I wanted to be strong, but the raw pain tearing at me from losing my sister was becoming too much. The darkness was threatening to tear me apart from the inside out. I didn’t want James to think I was weak, but it was getting harder and harder to stand on my own.
The door opened and James stepped up behind me, his strong arms gripping the railing around me and holding me against him. He knew exactly what I needed without me having to say it, and I rested my head against his chest.
He kissed my neck lightly and stroked his thumb over my hand. Taking another draw off the joint, I offered it to him, and he accepted, blowing the smoke into the air before handing it back. I shook my head and he placed it in the ashtray before returning to me.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” He asked me and I shook my head, the tears falling like rain.
Spinning me against the railing, James pressed himself to me and I wrapped my arms around his waist, letting the pain bleed from me. He held me as I cried for Natalia and all the pain she endured. He held me as I cried for the two little girls who never got the chance in life they deserved. He held me as I cried for myself, knowing I was part of a scheme that caused my sister’s death. He held me as I cried, realizing I had no family left and I was alone.
James stroked my hair and whispered words of love as I let all the pain purge from me. He picked me up when my knees buckled and carried me to the large chair. Sitting down, he placed me on his lap and held me until my tears finally stopped.
“I love you, Amaya.” He spoke, kissing the top of my head as my eyes grew heavy.
“I love you.” I replied and yawned, fighting exhaustion.
James stood from the chair and carried me into the bedroom. Setting me on the bed, he kneeled in front of me. “Can I get you a shirt to sleep in?”
I had slept naked with James every night since we had been together, and I felt rejected by him wanting me to cover up. I stood, swaying on my feet as I gripped the robe tighter around my neck.
