Chasing Merina
of the house seemed indifferent to the wild chaos of the night, its silence in the walls seemed to fill them. In one second, as the noiseless gates swung wide, o
ng questions. The man had known Adam well enough, and he was aware
d, sir. The specialists will ar
ood. Stay out of sight
rode inside, his clutches on Merina
ion of his being abroad, except the old butler and two discreet middle-aged females that attended him. He took Merina upstairs to a prepared guest
face was pale, her breathing shallow but steady. He clenched his fists. His anger bubbled just below the c
in addiction, a general physician, they sat around him in a huddl
ssional voice. "Withdrawal symptoms are sure to increase in case she is being kept away from
shall have whatever it is necessary; it takes wha
soft tone. "Actual emotional healing will take really long, especially considering some trauma
for follow-up visits, he let them go. He watched the butler clean up the room, putting fresh wat
the solitary space of that bed. Setting himself in its neighboring side chair, he res
hen wholly opened; the blurry vision was making its desperate attempt to show her what was around. The u
Adam, who sat in his chair in a seat next to her, his sh
ly, the arrogant lacing so custom
nk. The stranger. Her loss of control. The embarrassment and shame clawed at her chest. He
croaked, her voice
e exuding calm reassurance. "
ed to rise. "I have to get out. I-th
r body betrayed her. She stumbled, knees buckling, and i
ge of concern creeping into his tone. "Y
tly. She swayed, steadied herself with her back to the wall, and th
hook her bravado, her ey
te me all you want, but I'm not g
e to her voice. "Destroy myself? Look
slept in, the weight of her reality crashing down. She looke
mbling. "I'm not worth saving. I'm nothing but a mes
low and steady. "You haven't lo
ed icily. "Is this your revenge for last night? Do you feel sorry for th
"I don't pity you," he said. "I see you.
was sitting on the floor, her knees drawn to her chest. "Y
I don't believe that. You've been through hell, Merina,
ortex of pain, before once again slamming shut, back down onto defenses nailed in by a
for this moment. Live for the possibility of proving the world w
fear perhaps, or longing. But in that very moment, it was gone,
flatly, her voice as hollow
knew this was only the beginning of their journey-a b
re her breakfast, he made a silent promise to hims