Our Flame

xxxv

NADIA

"Get her on her side." The brown eyed guy orders. I don't have my own voice, so I let them move me.

"What about her father?" The voices continue around me. "We'll deal with him later, Issac."

I cough while I lay on my side, my eyes still feeling heavy. "Come on." The man picks me up. I'm limp in his arms, unable to move a thing.

That continues to replay in my mind, Ezra had every opportunity to leave but he didn't. He saved me.

But did I deserve it?

It's been two days since I've remembered Ezra saving my life and I've been avoiding him since.

Of course, I have a lot to say to him but I can't start with- 'Hey thanks for saving my life, sorry I said that I hated you.'

I groan at my own thoughts, I haven't slept either. Part of me is afraid I'll have another nightmare, the other part doesn't want to sleep.

I want to be ready if he finds me, I need to be ready.

A sigh escapes me as I open the door, making my way to the kitchen. It's what I've done the past two nights, wait till everyone falls asleep then go to the kitchen.

Maybe I should find a different place other than the kitchen.

I make my way into the dark kitchen not bothering to turn on the lights. The light of the moon shining through the window is enough.

Taking a seat at the countertop, I get lost in my thoughts. I haven't left this house since I came to Australia. I can't help but wonder if that's how it'll be for the next three months.

My mind wanders to my mother- what would she tell me if she were here? Would she tell me how everything will work out?

"Nadia." I immediately recognize Ezra's voice. "You've been avoiding me." He speaks. "It's a big house." I reply.

He sighs leaning next to me, and I finally look at him. "Why are you up?" I ask. "I had work to do." Ezra answers.

"Why are you up?" He asks the same question. "Can't sleep." I mumble. Is this how our 'husband and wife' conversations will be?

The thought makes me chuckle, "What?" He wonders. I shake my head, "What happens after these three months?"

"Whatever you want to happen."

Then without even thinking, I hug Ezra as if I was scared to let go. At first his arms stay by his side, I was about to pull away until his arms wrap around me.

"Tell me what's actually keeping you up." Ezra whispers, still in the hug. After a few moments I move away.

"Every time I close my eyes, I see him and each time- I- I wake up gasping for air. And it's so real." I admit. "I know it sounds crazy- No." Ezra interrupts.

"It doesn't sound crazy, πανεμορφη." He finally sits, leaving me standing. "What does it sound like then? My father killing me in my sleep isn't normal."

translation: beautiful

I've had nightmares before, but they've never felt this realistic.

Then I remember that I was in therapy, "I had a therapist, can I get one again? I was also in school." I mumble the last part. "Therapist, sure. School?"

"You know, like learning and homework- I know what school is, Nadia." Ezra cuts me off.

I shrug, "I don't think school is the best idea." He says. "I was just starting to think we were friends." I sigh.

Ezra raises an eyebrow, "I respect your opinion but I'm going back to school- one way or another." I speak.

Surprisingly he didn't reply he just smirked, "Online." He states and I smile. "I didn't want to go in person anyway." Before he can ask why, I speak again.

"Why haven't I left this house yet?" I wonder. "It's not safe." Ezra looks at me. "Is there something you aren't telling me?" I question.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes as he stays silent, "Ezra, this is like a...partnership, you cannot keep secrets. Not when my life is in your hands."

It's funny, I'm keeping the secret of remembering him.

Ezra nods, "Your father has been busy." He shortly states. "Busy? That's all I get?" I cross my arms. Ezra's lips almost form a smile until he stops himself, and for whatever reason- I was disappointed.

"He's finding people to work for him." I nod at his response. Why would people work for an abuser, a murderer, a manipulator and not to mention he's unstable.

"Are you alright?" No. "Yeah." I answer. "You're such a bad liar." He replies. I was about to deny it until a yawn escapes my lips. "Tired?" Ezra chuckles.

I nod, "Come on." He stands from the seat. "Sleep." He points to my room door. I laugh, "It doesn't work like that."

I grab Ezra's arm pulling him into my room, then sitting on my bed. I pat the spot next to me signaling him to sit by me. A small smile makes its way onto my face as he sits.

"I have two charges for arson." I blurt out after minutes of silence. "I know." He laughs. In that moment, I realized how much I like the sound of his laugh.

As Gianna would say- I'm fucked.

Then I stare at him, like really stare. His hair is a deep black, his arms are lined with tattoos, my eyes find their way to his neck where another very detailed tattoo sits.

I force myself to look away as parts of me start to heat up, "Does this place have a gym?" I wonder. "I'll show you later." Ezra tells me.

"You're beautiful, Nadia." He says after a moment.

I've done many things, I've had very great experiences with girls. But none have ever come close to making me feel this, especially way over a compliment.

"You're not too bad yourself." I quote what I first said to him. He stares into my eyes and I stare into his, the eyes that saw something worth saving in me.

"What's your middle name?" I clear my throat, looking away. "Don't have one." "Seriously? Everyone has one."

Ezra shakes his head, "What's yours then?" He wonders. "I don't have one either." I laugh. Ezra lets out a small smile and as he does I notice the dimples he has.

"Sit with me until I fall asleep?" I question. Ezra quickly nods, "Thanks." I mumble.

For the first time in two nights, I slept peacefully. And the person I can thank for it was gone when I woke up.

**
word count: 1114
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