18
I laid my head on Milo's chest, the warmth filled me underneath the covers. He
stroked my hair, telling me stories of his childhood, which distracted me from the true
horrors of the world. Leo had been resting for three days now, and still wasn't ready to
speak. We had decided not to take him to the hospital, for fear of getting questioned. This
house was our safeplace, and we would reside here until we knew enough of our enemy.
Leo hadn't left the side of the couch, he only lay there, resting. There was still dried
blood on his face, hair, and shirt, which smelled like the stench of death. I lifted my head
from Milo, and drifted down the stairs to check on my best friend. He was still lying
there, eyes open now.
"Glad you could join me.
" He chuckled weakly.
"I'm glad you're okay. Ready to talk about it yet?"
He gave me a weak nod, and I crouched by his side, meeting his sad, painful, eyes."Dylan was upset, bawling when she got into the car, she tried to start the car, but the
engine wouldn't turn on. We noticed this black figure in front of us, and she screamed as
he dragged her from the car. Then he came over to me and told me he didn't want me. He
then started slashing my face over and over again. He stopped, and pushed the car into
the tree. That was the last I saw of Dylan.
" His face grew more tired and weak. I stroked
his crunched hair and smoothed it out of his face. He grabbed my hand, and stared into
my eyes.
"Find her, Vi. You have to find her. Before-before it's too late.
"
I watched him fall back asleep, and I stumbled back in shock. I had a feeling this was
about the Shadow Man, but now I was sure. Time was running out, and Leo was right.
We had no clues leading us to who this person could be. It was time to stop hiding in the
shadows, and step out into the light. I felt my eyes water, but I pulled it together. I was
done crying and being afraid of this thing. I headed up to Milo's room and prepared
myself for the latest news I would have to share with him.
"We need a list of suspects.
" I said.
He looked at me, and then his eyes opened, looking as though he had come up with an
idea.
"We can make a chart.
" He explained.
We headed down to the living room, and grabbed a board. He took a marker, and began
writing down a list of suspects."Who is someone at our school who seems a bit..off?" He asked, sticking the pen inside
the corner of his mouth.
I think for a moment. We couldn't rule out Luke even though I rarely see him at our
school.
"For starters, let's think about all the people who dislike Amber.
" I said
We both came to the conclusion that there is absolutely nobody who even likes Amber. It
literally could be anybody. Frustrated, Milo took a seat and pursed his lips together. I took
a few steps closer to the board and took the marker from his mouth.
"There's the kid that sits in front of you in geometry. Davis Henry. He seems quiet.
" I
said, proud of myself.
Davis Henry wouldn't hurt a fly. I remembered talking to him one singular time and he
was only shy. But, he was one of our only hopes.
"Write that down.
" Milo orders, lest frustrated now. I could tell that he was beginning to
lose hope, but I was not. I would never stop looking for Dylan. I refused to allow our
friendship to end the way that it had. Perhaps, if I hadn't let her storm out, this whole
situation could have been avoided as a whole. I felt a surge of guilt as I took a few steps
back, working to process some new culprits.
"You know" he began "we could always take a look at Cade the quarterback.
" he
chuckled, a wide grin painted across his face. I threw the marker at him and laughed."No way. He would be too worried about messing up his hair.
" I burst out
laughing.
We both sighed and looked at each other. Milo was lying on the couch, his feet up
on the edge of the cushion, comfortably. I lied down next to him, feeling him tuck his
chin over my head. He stroked my hair and his voice grew into the soft, buttery essence
that made me fall deeper for him. We watched out the massive glass doors as raindrops
slid down the glass, and listened to the patter of rain as it calmed my mind and soothed
my emotions.
I truly never wanted this moment to end, and prayed it wouldn't. As I felt Milo's
chest, rising and falling peacefully, I realized he was falling asleep, which was rare. He
could only fall asleep in my presence, when he knew I was safe.
That brought him the peace he needed to sleep, and it made me feel so much better
to know that was what allowed him to dream. I sat up, careful not to wake up, and
untangled myself from his arms. Softly, I touched his hair with my fingertips and traced
his cheekbones.
He didn't look so angry when he slept. I wondered what he was dreaming of,
perhaps a place with us.19
Letting out a long exhale, I stood again and headed over to the large glass doors,
and opened a few widows, allowing the cool breeze to fill the home.
I grabbed a cigarette and lit it, feeling the surging calmness it gave me, as I
watched the smoke leave my mouth, and disappear into the air. I ran my hands through
my hair and wearily stared deeper outside, the clouds leaving a grey and gloomy color in
the forest. Tracing the cold window with my finger, I felt the cool wetness of the outside
as it placed itself on my fingertips. I took a look around the house. It had lost its luminous
touch, and now felt like home.
Milo and I were home, and it felt amazing. The home was now dark, and the
clouds filled it with a melancholy aesthetic. Milo eyes fluttered open, and he sat up,
yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"We can't hide in here forever.
" I said, distantly staring out the window.
"I know.
" He implied, groggy from napping.I kept my gaze outside, and leaned against the wall, watching the rain come down
harder and harder.
"I suggest we let the rain die out, though.
" he chuckled behind me.
I only let out a distant chuckle, which he noticed. I could feel his smile disappear
behind me, and I knew all of his thoughts. Is she unhappy here? I am such a fool, holding
her prisoner here as her family wonders where she is, and she can do nothing about it.
She doesn
't feel safe with me. But I do. He is very much wrong.
"I would rather be here than anywhere else.
" I sighed, turned towards him now.
His eyes light up again, and he stands, taking the cigarette from my hands, and
raising an eyebrow to me.
"Making a habit out of this, are we?" He implied
I rolled my eyes, and snatched it from his hands, placing it inside my mouth again,
my body filling with the sweet pleasure.
"Calms my nerves.
" I giggled.
He shrugged, and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me back to him. He
kissed my head, and then passed in front of me, walking outside. I had never seen Milo
want to have fun, or engage in anything that might be fun. Never would I have imagined I
would see him sitting at the end of the porch in the rain, smoking a cigarette he had
pulled from the table. I followed him, holding my cig in my hand as well. His blue eyes
blended with mine, as I took a seat next to him."Try this.
" I said, letting out an exasperated sigh.
I blew the smoke in a ring around my mouth, but failed and coughed, wheezing
over my knees. He burst out laughing and put his arm around my shoulder. I laid my head
on his shoulder, and watched out, sitting on the edge of the porch. The rain was now
pouring down, and my face became cold and wet. I laughed, and grabbed his hands,
moving to my feet.
"Do this!" I shouted
He shot me a confused and concerned look, as I lied down on my back in the
sopping grass, staring into the sky. I shouted into the sky and laughed, laying down for a
moment. Milo didn't move, he only watched me in amusement.
I stood again, and began to spin in the rain, kicking the puddles next to me. It felt
liberating to feel something other than fear as I reached my arms out. He stood, jogging
over to me. He picked me up in his arms and spun me around, I could feel the rain hitting
my skin, and wetting it, as I let out a sigh of happiness.
He set me down, and stared into me, embracing me and holding me close. In the
cold climate of the backyard, I felt his warmth pour into me, and consume me with love
and strength, and it reassured me everything would be okay.
There were times where I was unsure of Milo's love for me, and at that moment I
was sure it was real and true. And I felt the same. My biggest fear was that he didn't
know that."Hey" a voice sang into my ear "you okay?"
I nodded, understanding that Milo had seen how in love with him I was. I could
think about it for hours.