VI

~Akia~

A weight lands on my body, jolting me out of sleep. “Wakey, wakey.” I feel hands all over my face. I groan and shift my body, trying to make it stop. “I’m not getting up until you wake up.” I groan again, louder this time, but the weight doesn’t move.

“Get off me, you cow.”

“Ow! Is that any way to talk to your very best friend?” I sigh and turn my body so my back is on the mattress. Esme’s body is over mine, and she keeps putting her fingers in my face. She does this sometimes, and it’s annoying as hell. I can’t get mad, though, because I love her too much.

“I’m going to get a new best friend if you don’t get off me.” Esme kisses me on my forehead, making a loud kissing noise.

“Are you awake now?” She kisses me again and then starts to tickle me. I’m extremely ticklish.

“OKAY!” Esme finally gets off me and lies next to me. She grabs my hand and moves it to her chest.

“Well?” I turn my head to look at Esme, and she already has eyes on me.

“Well what?” Esme rolls her eyes.

“I know that you know that I left the car on purpose. I wanted to give you two some time together. So….” I turn and look at the ceiling, embarrassed.

“He kissed me.” My mind wanders back to that moment. His lips were soft, and I can still feel them against mine. It’s been years since I’ve been kissed, and I can’t believe I’ve gone so long without it.

“EEEEEEEEE!!! That’s amazing, Akia. I’m so happy for you.” I don’t say anything because my thoughts are starting to take over. “Akia?” I turn to look at Esme, and her face changes. She runs a finger under my eye. I didn’t even realize I was crying. “Talk to me, love. Why aren’t you more excited?”

“I’m scared, Esme. I’m terrified that my nightmare isn’t over. I’m scared that he will be attacked like Scott was.” Esme wraps her arm around me and pulls me in close. I let my tears fall, not even trying to reel them in. Every step I take in life is loaded because of this weight that is around my neck. It’s a weight I didn’t ask for, and I don’t know how to remove it.

My life has been harsh for no reason, and I can’t even assume that it’s taken a turn. Everything I do is shadowed by my past because, for all I know, it could be my present still. I’d give anything to erase what’s happened and live a carefree life like everyone else.

“I know you’re scared and that’s okay. Please don’t stop living your life based on that fear. Life is too short to limit yourself.” I know that Esme is right, and I’ve tried to tell myself the same thing over the years. It’s hard to come to terms with that because of all I’ve lost since this started. “Just promise me that you will take it one day at a time and try. Can you promise me that?” I sigh and snuggle into Esme.

“I’ll try.” The words feel empty, but I mean them. I do want to shed this weight that’s been on me for years. I don’t know how to do it on my own, so maybe trying is enough to make it happen.

~Unknown~

I’ve been anxious all day, knowing I’m going to find some answers today. I’ve been watching the building, and it looks like getting in shouldn’t be a problem. I found a back door that hasn’t been used much. The lock is simple, so my tools will be adequate.

I wait until the cover of darkness to make a play for the lock. I pull my tools out and go for the lock. I make good time, feeling a sense of accomplishment when I hear the click that indicates that I’m in. I slip into the building, closing the door behind me.

I follow the maze of the hallways until I find the front lobby. I already know that there’s no one watching the door because it’s so late at night. I may run into the occasional college student, but I’m sure I can play it off as if I belong here.

As I stand in the lobby, a scent wraps around me, pulling every cell in my body. I close my eyes and let it wash over me: coconut and mint. I close my eyes as my body reacts to the scents. Mate!

My eyes fly open, and my stomach turns. There’s no way, it just shouldn’t be possible. My mate is in this building, somewhere. I don’t want her, though. If I take her as mine, I’d have to let go of my love, my heart. I can’t give her up for some woman I’ve never met. I’ve wanted her since I first saw her as an awkward teen. I’ve waited for her to grow up and be of age to join with me. I refuse to give that up.

I rush through the lobby, looking for the stairwell. Once I find it, I rush up, stopping at each level to search for that scent. I step onto the third-floor landing, and her scent hits me. I let it carry me down the hall and around the corner. There’s a placard on the door, 325. She’s behind this door, behind the door where the scent is clawing at me, begging me to enter.

I lean against the door, making sure that my scent is hidden. I hear voices and other noises coming from behind that door. I can’t go in there now, I can’t risk being seen.

I slowly back away from the door, trying to decide what I need to do next. I can’t give in to this mate bond, I can’t afford to do that. I have to stay the course. I have to fulfill my dream. I want my little flower more than life itself, and I can’t give her up.

I step outside, letting the fresh air clear my foggy mind. Her scent is leaving my senses, allowing me to think clearly. I know what I need to do. My mate needs to die so I can have my little flower stand next to me. I need to kill my mate.