Save Me

THIRTYTWO

"Just take a breath," Rhydian whispered against my neck, causing goosebumps to rise on my arms. I sucked in a breath and buried myself further into him. "It just hurts to talk about him," I whispered, well it came out muffled. I felt him nod, "It will, love." He pushed me back a little, holding me at arms-length. "But talking about it can also help." He said, cautiously searching my eyes. I took a deep breath and nodded. 

"So I've been told." I chuckled slightly. His lips curled up into a little smile, there was no look of pity in his eyes at all. "Do you want to walk ahead a little more?" He asked, motioning his head towards the path. I nodded and smiled back at him, "Yes, there's something I want to show you." I hummed. 

We sauntered down the path together, our hands were nearly touching and I had to fight the urge to link our fingers together. The pull was strong, it felt like it physically hurt that we weren't touching. I sighed, balling my fists together. Rhydian peeped over at me, I wonder if he feels exactly the same. I could see so much emotion whirling around his eyes. 

He breathed out exasperatedly, took ahold of my hand and fought his large hand between my balled-up fist. He linked our fingers together, I sighed contentedly and relaxed. Maybe he did feel like me?! 

'He's acknowledged the bond, you haven't. He'll be feeling it more than you.' Aurora said, sarcastically. 

'Not helpful.' I sniped back. She huffed at me and went back further into my mind. She was good at keeping her word, she was letting me get it all out without interfering. Only there for support. 

We walked further into the trail, hand in hand. I saw the signpost for the mystical waterfall and smiled to myself. This is my second favourite place, other than the waterfall we have at home. I felt Rhydian's eyes on me, I glanced up at him and he had a full genuine smile on his face. "What?" I shrugged. He waved his hand towards the signpost, "Waterfall?" He beamed. I nodded, smiling. "I love water and especially waterfalls." I gushed.

We reached the waterfall and I was not disappointed. It was still as beautiful as I remembered. I gazed around, admiring the view. "It's stunning, isn't it?" I breathed, before looking at Rhydian. His eyes were already on me, "Yes, it is." He drawled before looking at the view again. He wasn't talking about the waterfall was he? I could feel my cheeks heating up, so I turned away before getting caught.

I walked towards the water and took a deep breath. The scent hit me like a ton of bricks. The smell reminded me of my dad, the nostalgic feeling. I sighed, sitting down at the edge of the water. I took my shoes and socks off and slipped my feet into the water. Rhydian copied and settled himself next to me. "Can I ask you something?" He asked while swishing his feet around the water. "Sure," I replied, staring at the waterfall. 

"What's your brother's name?" He asked, I took a deep breath and shook my head. "I haven't said his name out loud in 9 years." I breathed out. "I understand. You don't have to." He comforted, taking hold of my hand and bringing it into his lap. "I'm reading to carry on telling you." I croaked, I didn't sound like I was ready at all. He gave my hand a squeeze but never said anything. 

"We made a run for it. We didn't know where we were though. His eyes never changed from red all the time we were running. It was like we were going in circles, we couldn't figure out a way out of the basement floor we were on. We heard a door open somewhere in the distance. He opened a door, pushing me in and closed it. I was terrified, he'd left me on my own. I heard a growl behind me and came face to face with a young girl. She looked a little older than me. She ran at me, I wasn't skilled in fighting at all. Luck was on my side, she fell and landed on a rusty nail sticking out of the floorboards." 

I took a deep breath, peeked at Rhydian who was watching me intensely. I could tell he was fighting back the urge to question me. "I tried helping her, I know she would have hurt me but she didn't look too good. I couldn't stop the bleeding, I was covered in her blood. The door flung open, my brother was stood in the doorway covered in blood. None of it was his though, I didn't know whether to be impressive or petrified. The only thing running through my mind was... was I just like that." I breathed out. 

"I guess I am now." I chuckled darkly. "He managed to get us out of the basement, it was a different door we used before. It took us into what I could only describe as a reception area. He pushed me back, I banged my head and was knocked out I think because I still don't know what happened next." I shivered, I hung my head low and covered my face with my free hand.

"You're ok, just breath." Rhydian soothed, holding my hand tighter. "I came round with him shouting my name, before I opened my eyes I smelt the fire. The place was on fire, he was holding me. He set me down on the floor and starting pulling on my clothes. I was confused and had no idea what he wanted me to do." I whimpered. "He told me to take my clothes off and handed me some other clothes that were covered in blood. I didn't want to but the look on his face made me do it, it was the first time I had been scared of him. So I did what he asked, I pulled off my clothes and replaced them with the ones he had given me." I shuddered.

"That's why you freaked when you saw your clothes covered in blood after the incident with Selena isn't it?" He asked quietly. I nodded and wiped my eyes. "He put my clothes on a girl who was dead. He told me to stay where I was, he took the body and disappeared down the hall before coming back. He sniffed me and said it would work. He dragged me out of the building, dodging the flames and the rogues coming at us." I panted, trying to get it all out as quick as I could.