Could I be that girl? Could I live a normal life in any city I want and just be free? Could I fall in love without fear of hurting anyone? Could I be myself and be with my family? Is it even possible to live a normal life with this blood flowing through my veins? Will that ever be possible? I can’t stay here long, it’s already too dangerous, and he’s already got a hold on me.
Will I ever stop running? Will I ever be safe?
The only option I have now is to leave, to keep going, to separate myself from everyone I love or could love and hide.
Cole’s words swim through my head.
I didn’t have an answer for him, but now, soaked to the bone and standing outside my apartment, I realize what I want.
“I want to be free,” I whisper, the words tumbling from my trembling lips.
I can’t tell him why and he doesn’t ask. He just looks at me like he understands, like none of us are free. His hair is matted to his forehead, clear droplets of water dripping down onto his nose and mouth. His shirt clings to his toned chest and all of me just wants to bring him upstairs and dry him up. That’s what a normal girl would do.
“Why does the caged bird sing?” he asks, his eyes dark under the soft light of the building lobby.
“Because he’s safe?” I answer quickly, thinking maybe I was better in my cage in Freedom, safe from any harm.
But was I safe? They still found me and I still had to run. I’ll always have to run. If I were in a cage, that would just make it easier for them. I’ll never be safe.
“Because her heart is still free,” he says, his soft voice tingling the hairs on my ear.
I didn’t even notice him step closer to me. I can see every muscle beneath his shirt now, the fabric a part of his skin. I blink my eyes away from his chest and focus on the wall behind him.
“Just never forget that no one can control your heart Tave.”
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