5 Chapter 4

Emily

I woke up wrapped in Hunter's arms and Storm at the foot of the bed. Sensing I was awake Hunter spoke, "Up already?" His voice was deep and raspy from just waking up.

"Sorry I woke you up."

"I'll make you breakfast before you go."

"Thanks, but I should head home. The sooner the better."

"Do you want me to drop you off?"

"No. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Hurt?"

I should not have said that.

"Emily what's going on over there?"

"Nothing to concern yourself with."

"Emily…."

I hugged him to make him stop talking, and he accepted the offer. "I'll be back before you know it okay?"

He smiled, but it was a broken one. "Promise?" He held out his pinky to me.

"Promise," I sealed the contract. We got up and headed to the door.

Before I left Hunter said, "Emily."

"Yes?"

"I love you."

I smiled at hearing those three full words for the first time in a while. I wanted to say thank you, but that wasn't a proper response. He still had his plan to properly ask me out officially.

"I love you too."

His smile was a pure one, and he leaned down and kissed my forehead. His touch was so gentle. So safe. I want to be held in his arms and never leave. I said goodbye and left to deal with another day of my cursed life.

Hunter

After I finished my daily chores, I had to check on her. I got my horse ready and set out for her broken down home. I got there and made sure to keep the horse and myself hidden, silently, like a spy on a mission. It wasn't a pleasant one. I heard glass shatter, screams, cries, and painful moans.

She's like this everyday? And she hasn't done something?

"Get outta my damn sight!"

"But-"

"Out! Now! Unless you want to be punished more!"

"Sometimes I think you killed mom just to torture me without her knowing!"

Then there was a slam at the door and crying by the house. I so badly wanted to do something. I made my horse neigh, and she came walking to the noise after a while. I got off my horse and held my arms open for her to hold onto. She saw me and came running to me. She jumped into my arms and continued to cry. I sat us down on the ground, and held her, humming and stroking her. She looked up at me in shock.

"What are you doing here? He'll find you!"

"Then let's leave before he does." I said as I picked her up and put her on my horse and I led us home.

I placed her on my bed. She's so fragile she could break if touched, but so strong she could split a boulder in half with a gentle touch.

"Where did he strike you?"

"My feet."

I pulled off her boots she got from my mother and took care of her bloody feet.

"How come you never told me?"

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't."

Tears silently streamed down her face. She's been doing this by herself for so long, she didn't know how to rely on people.

"It's okay. I'm here now." I hugged her tightly. As if telling her to come and stay with me.

I'm here for you. You've got nothing to fear.

"Did you eat yet?"

She shook her head.

"Want me to make you something?"

"Not yet. I'm not hungry."

"I've got something to show you."

I led her to my room and revealed my guitar to her. Her face lit up.

"Do you play?"

"Since I was three."

She laughed and I sat next to her and tuned my guitar. "Want me to play?"

She nodded eagerly. I played a few cords then started to sing, "I promise that one day I'll be around. I'll keep you safe. I'll keep you sound. Right now it's pretty crazy, and I don't know how to stop or slow it down. Hey, I know there are some things we need to talk about, and I can't stay. Just let me hold you for a little longer now. Take a piece of my heart, and make it all your own. So when we are apart, you'll never be alone. You'll never be alone. You'll never be alone.

When you miss me, close your eyes, I may be far but never gone. When you fall asleep tonight, just remember that we lay under the same stars. And hey, I know there are some things we need to talk about, and I can't stay. Just let me hold you for a little longer now, and take a piece of my heart, and make it all your own. So when we are apart, you'll never be alone.

You'll never be alone. You'll never be alone. You'll never be alone. You'll never be alone. You'll never be alone. And take a piece of my heart, and make it all your own. So when we are apart. You'll never be alone, you'll never be alone. Take this song to heart and never forget that I'm here, okay?"

"Okay."

"What do you want to do now?"

"Leaves!"

"Leaves?"

She grabbed my hand and ran me outside into the forest. Storm followed us behind.

"Leaves!" She giggled as she picked up a handful and dropped them on top of her. I never saw this side of her, and I never want to stop staring. We played in the leaves for a while until we laid down on the leaf bed we made and we looked at the clouds, talking to each other.

"Hey Hunter?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you, for saving me."

I moved so that she was laying on top of me and I could hold her close to me. "You're safe with me." I whispered in her ear. She held me tighter and we stayed like this for a while. Me looking at the sky, her looking at the leaves. Us in each other's arms, and Storm laying at our feet.

"Okay, I think I'm ready to eat now, if your offer still stands."

"It never fell down."

We walked back to my house holding hands.

"Do you want cider too?"

"Yes please!"

I laughed and made her some, and she drank it right away once it cooled down enough.

"Mmh! So good!"

She licked her lips and smiled a full, pure one. Eyes closed, teeth showing, like a toddler getting what they wanted for christmas. I snuck a quick picture before she could return to her normal self and saved it as my wallpaper. People shine in their own ways; this was hers.

Please fall, don't leave. Not yet. I want her to enjoy you more.

I made lunch and we ate by the fireplace with the warm heat on us and enjoyed ourselves over games of cards after. Then I asked her, "Want to see my farm?"