XLVIII

Hearts beating, thudding ever so erratically yet so harmoniously in both their chests, Emerald and Jordan stared at each other, soaking in the sight of one another. One stoic expression against a pained and pallid face.

Emerald shivered slightly, both from the wind gaining entrance into the house through the door left ajar and also from the empty, expressionless eyes staring right at her.

Her eyes glistened with tears as she took a small, hesitant step forward. Gaining no reaction or expression from the man standing stiffly in front of her, Emerald continued to move towards him, her steps slow and shaky.

The man had splatters of blood all over his face and tatted upper arms. His white cotton short-sleeved shirt was also soiled with the red pigment and his hands up to his wrists were painted in the same blood. Seeing him like that had knocked the wind out of Emerald so fiercely, so harshly and now, looking into his cold,