Stretching, I glanced at my watch. It was after lunch time. I’d nearly been immobile since coming into the bedroom. Moving the clothes from the washer to the dryer, I washed a new load. There were probably still two to three loads that needed to be done from the sheets that covered the house.
Ready to leave the confines of the bedroom, I made my way out into the living area. No one was out there. The computer screens against the wall were black. There was no telling where Bane was. The fire crackled in the fire place and the vinegar smell from cleaning dissipated. Peeking out the window, the grocery store man had been right. The snow looked significantly deeper. I’d never been in snow that deep before.
My lips turned up in a smile as I thought about making a snow angel. We’d never gotten enough snow in Georgia to make a good angel since we could always see the tips of the grass still. Heading to the bedroom, I grabbed my heavy coat, hat, and gloves, courtesy of my new wardrobe I’d acquired on the way to the train station.
Opening the door, the cold brisk air greeted me. I welcomed it, letting it refresh and invigorate me. With my boots on, I stepped out into the snow and nearly squealed in excitement as I sunk into the six or so inches of pure white powder.
Like a school girl, I took off running through the small yard. We were in a heavily-wooded area. The snow was powdery as I kicked through it. Nearly out of breath, I stopped and looked at the beauty. It was pure, clean and refreshing. Closing my eyes, I held out my hands and leaned back as I fell back into the snow.
Moving my legs and arms in and out, I made my first-ever snow angel. A giggle escaped as I enjoyed the moment. Dad read a story about a little girl who loved to make snow angels. This was better than I’d imagined. For a second, I pretended there were no problems as I fluttered my limbs about. With my eyes closed, I felt a shadow stand over of me. I stopped moving as the butterflies danced in my stomach. He came for me.
“I was an ass, I’m sorry.”
The deep voice stirred within me. Peeking my eyes open, I found Bane looking at me with an apologetic face, his shades tucked into the top of his shirt. “Yes, you were.”
“What do you want from me, Maren?”
“To lay down and make snow angels with me.”
Bane looked at me quizzically. I nodded my head to the side. It would be his decision, I wouldn’t press. The cold snow seeped into my pants, but I wanted to see what Bane decided. In a sense, this would give me an answer on if we were to stay at arm’s length apart or continue having fun together. After long minutes he moved to my left where he sat. “You want me to make snow angels with you?”
“Yes. Only if you want.”
A small wrinkle marred his forehead. It was hard fighting the chill that set in my bones, but I waited. Hesitantly, Bane laid back and glanced at my position as he mirrored it. A smile spread across my face.
“Now what?”
“Move your hands and arms like this.” I demonstrated and Bane followed my movements, a happy expression crossing over his features.
Stopping, we were eye to eye. “Are you ready to see our angels?”
“Sure thing, angel.”
My smile grew wider at my nickname and how fitting it was. I loved the name angel from Bane. My only other nickname had been ruined by my brother.
Carefully standing, we turned to look at the angels before us. Our feet and arms touched, joining us together where there was no separation between us.
“You bring out feelings I shouldn’t have. I can’t have them.”
I turned to Bane and grabbed his hand, bringing him out of whatever thought he was lost in. Snow started falling heavy. Any trace of my snow angel would be gone within a few hours. “Why?”
The look of pain that crossed his face tore through me. The scars were deeper than I’d imagined as his tormented eyes looked deep into mine. “Because everyone I’ve ever cared about or loved has ended up dead. I’m cursed.”
My hand went up to Bane’s face. “You’re not cursed.” He tried to protest or that’s what I assumed, but I put my index finger to his lips. “I’m not here to change your mind or who you are. Only you can do that.”
I removed my finger.
“Then, what are you here for?”
For once, I saw uncertainty and fear in the strong man. “To give you the escape we want. Let this last for as long as we’re on the run. When it’s over, I’ll disappear. We’ll go our separate ways. Stop pushing me away. There’s nothing to push.”
Bane leaned his forehead to mine. “You have to promise me you won’t get attached. Maren, I have nothing in my life I can’t walk away from. It’s not something I plan to change.”
“I don’t want you to change. I understand.” Our cold breaths mingled with each other.
His lips moved to touch mine, barely. “Are you sure you want this, angel?”
“Yes, for as long as it lasts. Yes.”