Warring Emotions
Nightshade
Watching her collapse into his arms provokes an anger inside of me. It should be me holding her when she cries. Last night, when she was in my arms, I realized how much I want her there—always. I’ll keep working with her until she’s strong enough to control the situation herself, strong enough to never let anyone take advantage of her again.
Hearing her cry that no one loves her tore me apart. If only she knew how much I want to tell her the truth. The darkness that lingers around her, the one she fears, will one day empower her. It’ll make her unstoppable. Her light will shine so brightly it’ll blind everyone who doubts her. But the light he speaks of—the one Cade claims she needs—will be her downfall. I have to make her see that. He’s right about one thing, though: she has to be the one in control.
***
She pauses on the trail, kicking at the dirt the moment she spots Scarlet in the distance. Something about her roommate unsettles her, though I can’t quite place why. As soon as Scarlet disappears from view, she continues her hike, but unease knots in my stomach.
I don’t like that she’s out here alone.
Out here, anything could happen—she could trip and fall, get bitten by a snake… or worse.
I exhale sharply, muttering under my breath, “Do you hear yourself? You sound ridiculous.”
But no matter how hard I try to push the thoughts away, the concern lingers like a shadow .
Still… someone could hurt her out here, and no one would even hear her scream.
I clench my jaw, shaking my head as if I can physically banish the thought. I’m here. She doesn’t know it, but I am. I always will be. Watching. Protecting.
The battle rages inside me—the angel and the devil on my shoulders, each whispering in my ear, each tugging me in opposite directions.
But in the end, there’s no real fight.
I make my way to the peak, drawn to her like gravity. The way he held her this morning—it’s too much. The jealousy burns, festers, refuses to be ignored.
I have to be close to her again.
Pulling my mask over my face and my hoodie down, I announce myself, “If it isn’t my sweet Little Bird, out for a hike all on her own.”
Her gasp is sharp, startled. “Nightshade!”
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“You’re real.”
“Of course I’m real. You were with me last night. Why would you think otherwise?”
“It felt like a dream when I woke up. I thought my mind was just messing with me, especially since I’ve been drugged the last couple of times.”
I chuckle softly. “I’m not a dream, Little Bird. But if you are dreaming about me, I won’t complain. Don’t you have anything better to do today?”
“I have yoga with Dr. Flores in a couple of hours, then a group session. They’ve started incorporating games into it instead of just sitting in a circle singing Kumbaya,” she says, her tone laced with sarcasm.
“Skip it. Play hooky with me instead.” My fingers brush the syringe hidden in my pocket, but I don’t pull it out. Not yet. I need her to want this—to want me —as much as she seemed to last night.
She chuckles lightly and glances to where my hand is. “ Nightshade, if you stick me one more time, I’ll tell Cade about you. I’ll have him call the police and we’ll find out who you are and stop you,” she says, her hands covering the pocket of my hoodie.
“You wouldn’t dare,” I growl, the threat clear.
She meets my gaze. “You ask me to trust you. So trust that I’ll keep your secret—but don’t drug me. Please, Nightshade.”
I reach into my back pocket, but she misreads the motion, turning to flee.
“Little Bird, stop!” I call out, my voice sharp. “I’m not going to hurt you. Turn around. Please.”
She hesitates, then slowly turns back, her eyes wary.
I hold up the blindfold. “If you’re coming with me, I need you to put this on.”
Her brows furrow. “You want me to hike blindfolded? On a trail? That’s dangerous.”
“Let’s call it a trust game” I say again, my voice softer now.
She hesitates but steps closer, taking the blindfold from my hand. With a deep breath, she slides it over her eyes.
“Good girl,” I murmur, watching her shiver under her flannel.
“Cold, Little Bird?”
“No… surprisingly, I’m warm,” she whispers.
A smile tugs at my lips, hidden beneath my mask. I know I’m the reason for the war of emotions inside her. Without another word, I lift her into my arms and carry her down the backside of the trail, to an area more secluded, surrounded by trees.