Running With the Wave

Chapter 27

Hunter:

I was running around screaming Era's name the entire day, desperate to find her and sure she'd been kidnapped. I felt like an idiot, not only because I of how I would have looked at that moment but also because I was giving the Keepers an easy way to find me. It didn't matter if I was caught and murdered, though. Nothing mattered except Era being alive and okay, not missing. By the end of the day, though, I had to go back to the camp site to get food because I was feeling faint from hunger. Than I would set out and spend the entire night searching for my love.

I truge back into the campsite with no hope left in me. Would I ever see Era again?

"Hunter?"

My head snaps up to see her staring at a freshly made fire, her eyes puffy from crying and refusing to meet my eye.

"Era!" I smile, relief flooding me.

I run towards her but right before I bend down to kiss her, she puts out her hand, still staring at the fire.

"No. Please, Hunter... Don't touch me." Her voice is strained but firm.

"Oh." I say shortly, stung, "Are you okay, Era."

I sit down beside her, and she shakes her head.

"What's wrong?"

"The choice I have to make." She whispers.

I stare at her.

"What choice?" I say quietly.

She doesn't answer, but tears roll down her cheeks.

"Era, what choice?" I ask again.

She puts her head in her hands, tears glistening in the light of the fire.

"Era, look at me!"

I reach out to pull her head towards me but she just turns away and faces the opposite direction.

"My Love..."

"I have to leave you, Hunter." Era's voice trembles.

"What? Why?" I ask, incredulous, feeling as though the world just crashed down on mel

"Because I have to make the right choice.." She answers, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

"You want to go save the women," I murmer, understanding now, "Era, I-"

"You can't come with me, Hunter."

"I'm coming."

"No. I can't have you in jeapordy of losing your life."

"What about yours?"

"I don't care wether I live or die anymore."

"But I need you to live! I care!" I grab her by the shoulders, but she pulls away from me.

"Hunter, you're handsome and kind. You'll find another woman and you won't remember me anymore. I have to do this." she says tiredly.

"That's not true! I'll never love another woman the same way I love you!" I snap, panicking.

"Hunter..." Era whispers, still not looking at me.

I grab her shoulders and spin her around. Her startlingly blue eyes stare up at me, filled with tears.

"Please, Hunter." she says softly, "Don't make this harder than it already is."

I begin crying too, because I know I have to give in. She chose to save the women over me, and I know that this will probably be the last time I ever see Era. I run my hands through her hair and rest my forehead against hers.

"I love you." she whispers, "But I have to do this."

"I know."

I take in her olive skin, her brown hair and those eyes that had always fascinated me. It kills me to see so much pain and sadness in those eyes. I let my lips press against hers and my arms slide around her body, pulling her closer to me. My tears slip down onto her hair and I keep my arms around her.

"Why is life like this?" she cries.

"It's just the way the wave does it. No one knows why."

I gently pull her off me and look down at her, holding her gently by the shoulders.

"But you'll never be running alone, Era." I whisper, "You were never alone, running with the wave."

I lie down and she curls up next to me. We fall asleep like that, clinging to each other as if the slightest breeze might blow us apart sooner than we already have to. When morning comes, I help her pack, giving her most of the food as well as the gun and then we kiss goodbye, both of us crying. I stand there as she makes her way to the field and watch the girl that changed my life walk away from me.