I want to see Casper again. It’s like I feel better the instant I see him. When I get home, I put my stuff down on my bed, not without Ron yelling at me because I barely greeted anyone when I walked inside. I can’t win for losing.
I join my parents and Jonathan at the table. When Mom’s in the mood, she cooks on Sunday nights, and tonight she prepared homemade lasagna and garlic bread. My favorite. I don’t want to be around anyone right now but being with my family is actually comforting. While I have my moments with my mom, there are times that I still feel like a little girl and want her to hug me and tell me that everything will be okay. I can’t tell her about the attack. She can’t know I lied to her and that I went to a party. She can’t know I wore a dress like that, and she certainly can’t know I stayed at a guy’s house last night.
I can’t go to the police, because then my parents will find out. But Adam’s face and his words keep circling my mind. He said he knew me. How?
“Megan?” Mom asks. Her reddish-brown hair has grayed at the roots, and wrinkles formed around her eyes more and more. She works hard but hates her job. She never takes any time off, because I guess her employer doesn’t like it, but she needs a break.
“Hmm?”
Mom scoops out a portion of lasagna on my plate. “How was work?”
“Oh. It was busy.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Tired.”
“How was church this morning?” Ron asks as if he knows I didn’t go.
“It was good.”
“What was the sermon about?”
For the love. It never ends with him. I give him some baloney answer and remain quiet the rest of dinner. Afterward, I take my shower, careful not to get my back wet, and curl up in my bed with Savannah. She licks my face like she knows something’s wrong. Adam pops into my head again, but I also focus on how safe and right it felt being with Casper. It was easy, comfortable.
My phone beeps and it’s Cherry messaging me.
Thanks for leaving us swamped today. I hope your night with Casper was awesome.
I sigh at her sarcasm. I don’t reply because I know I will say something I don’t mean. I lay in bed, cuddling with Savannah and listening to music. It seems to be the only thing that comforts me. Vincent calls a few times, but I don’t answer. Why is it when I want to talk to him, he never answers but now that I don’t, he calls. I don’t know why Vincent would automatically assume I slept with Casper. And why did Cherry tell him I stayed? She knows I was attacked. Doesn’t she care? I can’t stop crying. I want to leave. Run away. Forget everything and start somewhere new. Maybe Casper and I will run away in real life. I can’t keep living like this.
The thick fog shrouds me as I walk deeper into the forest. The moon hangs low in the orange and violet sky. The ache in my heart strengthens the further I’m away from Casper. I freeze once I hear a shuffling nearby. I look around me but see nothing. I turn to my right and gasp once I see a shadow of a person moving toward me. I can’t run anymore. They found me and this is what I must do to keep Casper safe.
“Megan,” he whispers and my heart pounds, burning inside my chest. Casper appears before me with an apologetic look on his beautiful face. “You left. Are you giving up on us?”
“It’s my fault, Casper. I long for the day when we can be free as much as you do.” I bow my head, hiding the tears that fill in my eyes. “But that day will never come.” Because I don’t have the strength or willpower to kill anyone.
I see the determination in his eyes. “We can do this together. I will keep you safe. I would die for you, Megan. You know that.”
“I can’t let you die for me. I can’t live in a world where you don’t exist.”
He lifts my chin, and a tear falls. “Don’t talk like that. I promise I will find a way. Better than this. So, we can be free.” He wipes my tears and I slide my hands up his chest and around his neck. He lowers his mouth to mine and kisses me softly. It doesn’t matter how many times we kiss, it feels as if a storm of passion bursts throughout my body. I love him and I don’t know how I can live without him, but I have to try.
Chapter Twenty-Five
After I dress carefully, I head to school. I’m so out of sorts, I can’t remember if I have a test or an assignment due. My mind is in a fog and I want to skip school, but it’s the only normal thing I’ve got right now. Sort of. I need to focus on my studies more. That will help keep things normal.
I take my time because I don’t want to face Cherry yet. I slow to a crawl when I reach my locker. Vincent leans against it with a sad look and a mixed bouquet of flowers in his hand. His eyes are bloodshot and there are black circles underneath them. His brown hair is disheveled. My stomach drops. Is his mom okay? “Vincent? Is something wrong?”
“Megan, I’m a stupid fool. Are you okay?” He hands me the flowers.
I’m about to fall apart. “I’m okay.”
He takes my hands in his. “Did he hurt you? What happened?”
