Sally walked back, feeling oddly displayed. She wore a new black dress with a dark gray ribbon wrapped around her waist, tied in a bow on her lower back. She looked down at her arms, relieved to see that the bruises that she had had faded. All that were left now were small scars that dotted her wrists. Sally wished that she had chosen one with long sleeves. She hadn’t worn short sleeves in a long time…..
She opened the door and stepped in, surprised to see Jack waiting for her. He smiled.
“You look fantastic.’’
Something in her twisted as she felt her face grow hotter. “Thank you.’’
He nodded once, still smiling. “Would you walk with me?’’
The question sounded funny coming from him, sally thought. The way he said it held so much…..what was it, fear? Anxiety?
She nodded and they left again. She didn’t have a problem with it, she enjoyed his company severely. As they walked he told her about the Halloween preparations and pointed out various buildings.
“You really love your work, don’t you?’’ she asked him after seeing the happy look on his face from telling her about the upcoming Christmas festival.
“Mhm.’’ He said. “But I love something else above that.’’
“What would that be?’’ she asked, bemused.
He didn’t answer, just took her hand and led her to the side, along a path that strayed into a wooded area.
“Close your eyes.’’ He said.
“Seriously?’’ she asked, incredulous. “Why?’’
“Please?”
She did as he told her and he led her farther down. “Ok. Open them.’’
The sight that greeted her made her freeze; they stood on an open drop-off, overlooking the entire town. It twinkled with orange light, illuminating them in its glow.
“Jack-“
“I figured you needed something beautiful to look at.’’ He said.
She smiled. “Have you been coming here?’’
“Only when the stress gets high, I suppose.”
They stood there for a moment, until the clouds above them broke and it started raining. He grabbed her hand and they started running back home, stopping on the porch, both soaking wet. She tripped up the stairs and he caught her, holding her close to him. They stood there for a moment, completely stunned by this action, staring up at each other.
Sally’s heart drilled against her chest as she mused at how warm he was, how soft……..She felt his breath against her forehead and she melted inside.
“Sally.’’ He whispered, smoothing her wet hair from her face. He wanted so badly to kiss her, to feel her lips on his that it was driving him crazy, becoming his obsession. He could see her long black eyelashes and could count the freckles on her cheek. The feel of her heartbeat next to his made his head spin. He leaned in, his lips brushing hers.
He could feel her resolve as she relaxed into him, her mouth forming perfectly with his. He marveled at how well she fit him.
Like a missing puzzle piece…….
She pulled away, and he felt terrible. Why had he done something so stupid?
“I’m sorry-“she cut him off, looking close to crying.
“Is that really how you feel?’” she asked, her voice breaking. She covered her face with her hands and his heart broke as he knelt beside her.
“One thing you must understand.’’ He said softly. “is that I have loved you from afar for a very long time. Even before you…..” he paused, trying to reign in his emotions. “Began seeing Jonah. I should’ve told you, I should’ve saved you from so much heartache but I didn’t. And I am so sorry for that, sweetheart, I am. Every time I saw you with him, every time I saw his hands on you I died a second time, over and over.” He pulled her hands from her face, tipping her head back. “Sally Mathews. I love you.’’
Tears ran down her face as she shrugged. “I don’t know what to do, Jack. I……”
He held her closer to him. “Let me save you.’’
let me save you
save me
Save her from what? herself? the hounding feeling like she should be somewhere else? far away from here? is that what he wanted to save her from?
get away from this man, Sally, he'll hurt you to
stay
go
sally shut her eyes tight, the thoughts fighting in her head.
She pressed her palm to her forehead.
"Sally.'' at the sound of his voice, the thoughts silenced. She looked up at him and he touched her face. "Tell me.''
She didn't answer, just leaned her head against his chest again, letting him close his arms around her in that tight embrace that she loved so much.
"Save me.'' she whispered.
_
sorry if this chapter sucks! i'm really low on inspiration :X
