Page 31 of Absolution

Outwardly, I only blinked, while inside, a voice was screaming, “What about me? Don’t I deserve better too?” I held my tongue though as bitterness grew inside me against my will.

“So, I take it you’re leaving.” It wasn’t a question.

I pulled my hand from his grasp and clasped my fingers together in my lap, each digit clutched tightly to the one next to it. Leo frowned but nodded.

“I joined the Army, and I’ll be heading to basic training soon.”

“Shit, Gina. Don’t cry, please.”

I blinked, and sure enough, a tear slid down my cheek and dripped off my chin taking with it my hopes and dreams.

“Take me with you. Please, don’t leave me here.”

“I can’t.”

With those two words, I knew. I knew he didn’t love me like I loved him. He didn’t even see me. He didn’t see anything. I swiped the tears away, refusing to waste any more on him, and rose from the table. Angry words threatened to burst from my throat, but I swallowed them back. Instead, I spoke calmly.

“I wish you the best.”

Hurriedly, I slipped away even as I could hear him call my name. I raced out the back door and made it a block before colliding with a hard body. I glanced up and met the face of the devil himself, an evil, sinister smile gracing his face. I jerked away and then cursed myself for showing weakness.

“Well, well, if it isn’t little Gina.” I shivered when Gideon’s eyes roamed up and down my newly budding body. “Although you won’t be little too much longer by the looks of things.”

My skin crawled. Compounded with the ice blue eyes that lacked any spark, it made me uncomfortable. I may only be thirteen, but my instincts shouted ‘danger’ whenever he was near, no matter how seemingly innocent he appeared. I made sure to never be alone with him, but I also never told anyone. What if they didn’t believe me?

He gazed beyond my shoulder like he was searching for someone.

“What are you doing out here all alone? Where’s your buddy, Leo?” Gideon sneered when he said the name as he continued to loom over me, still too close to my personal space.

No matter how much I tried to avoid him, he always seemed to be lurking nearby. He wasn’t as tall and muscular as Leo, but he was also only sixteen. He still had a few years to grow.

“He had to finish his chores quick, but he should be coming any minute now,” I lied.

Gideon glanced over the top of my head and then back down to meet my eyes. His lips quirked up on one side in a condescending way, and I could tell he knew I wasn’t telling the truth. It didn’t matter. I just wanted to get out of here.

“Well, why don’t I wait with you until he gets here. I’d hate for something to happen to you.”

I shuddered and cursed when I stuttered. “No, thanks, I’m fine. I told him I was going to go on ahead and meet him at the library. He’ll be right behind me, though.”

Gideon leaned down and his harsh breath blew across my cheek when he whispered in my ear. “Run along then, little rabbit. I like the chase.”

Sweating, I bolted upright as the nightmare faded. There was a light tapping at my bedroom door before it opened a crack.

“Gina, you okay?” Leo’s groggy voice came through the small open space.

“I’m fine. Sorry I woke you.” I glanced at the clock. Shit, it was three a.m.

“It sounded like you were having a nightmare. Want to talk about it?”

Hell no, I didn’t. So, I lied. “I don’t really remember what it was about.”

I wasn’t sure if Leo could tell or not, but if so, thankfully, he let it go. “Okay, try to go back to sleep.”

“I’ll try.”

After Leo closed the door, I lay there in the dark, staring up at the ceiling.

I needed to forgive him, but I also wanted to guard my heart. He’d shattered it once, and I wouldn’t survive him breaking it again.

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