Salvation

My Savior

Emily had just gotten back from an early morning hunting trip. She snuck out of camp before the sun came up, in search of more food for the group. She tosses the few squirrels she'd managed to kill beside the fire pit, taking a seat. She runs her hands through her thick blonde hair, breathing in the fresh morning air.

"Sissy!" Sophia calls to her. She smiles at her little sister as she barrels toward her. Emily engulfs her in a hug.

"What's up kiddo?" She asks her.

"Shane was looking for you. Everyone missed you at breakfast." Her sister answers with a smile. "Where'd you go?" Emily points to the dead squirrels beside them.

"Grocery shopping." Sophia giggles. Suddenly her face drops.

"What's the matter Soph?" Emily asks her gently.

"I heard Mom crying agian." She tells her sadly. Emily takes Sophia's hand in hers, gives it a little squeeze then stands.

"Don't worry about it, I'll talk to her okay?" Sophia nods. She hates that her little sister has to carry the weight of her parents problems. Emily ruffles the little girls hair before leaving and heading toward their family's tent. Before she can even get to her mother Shane steps into her path.

"Jesus Emily there you are! I've been lookin everywhere for you." She looks sheepishly at the ground, like she'd just been caught doing something wrong. He grabs her hand and leads her into the RV for some privacy.

"I was worried sick." He says softly, rubbing his thumb across her hand.

"You were?" She asks him, surprised by his emotion. They've gotten extremely close since making camp here, she's very quickly fallen for him, but she had no idea he felt the same. The idea that someone like him could ever care about someone like her feels like a joke to her. He nods.

"I worry every damn second you're not right here with me." She can't help but smile. "Ever since that day..when I found Ed with his hands around your throat I've promised myself I'd always protect you. I knew ever since that day that I never wanted to leave your side."

"Can I be honest with you?" She asks him shyly.

"Of course." He answers.

"You saved me Shane and not just that day as Officer Walsh. You've saved me every single day since." She looks to the ground. Her heart pounds in her chest. She's never felt so vulnerable. She's terrified that what she's about to say will chase him away for good, but she can't hold it back any longer."Your smile..your laugh..you give me hope. Even in this shit storm we live in." They both let out a small laugh. "My life just wouldn't be the same without you." She pauses afraid to continue. But, she's already come so far and he hasn't shut her down yet, in fact he seems to be eating up her every word. "I love you." She practically spits out. She looks up slowly, terrified to see his reaction. His gaze meets hers. And where she expects to find disgust or shock she finds pure joy instead. His deep brown eyes stare dreamily into hers.

"I love you too Em." He whispers to her. His heart beating just quickly as hers. He takes her sweet face into his rough hands admiring her incredible beauty. His stomach erupts like millions of butterflies being set free into the wild, as he slowly leans in closer to her. She feels herself falling, losing herself in his chocolate brown eyes. Her skin tingles in anticipation. She rests her hands on his chest, feeling the bludgeoned of his muscles hiding just beneath his shirt. Shane aches to be closer to her, like the space keeping them apart is poison in his lungs. Their lips just mere centimeters apart, so close he can feel her gentle breathes against his lips. He closes his eyes and waits for the soft touch of their lips combining at last...