“Thank you, Ravage.”
“I smell food,” A big burly man said as he walked into the kitchen, half-dead to the world. “Smelled it all the way upstairs.”
“Take a seat, Massacre,” Moonshine said right before he scooped a fork full of eggs into his mouth. “Ari cooked.”
Everyone seemed to really enjoy the food, and I was happy. I had just removed the last of the blueberry muffins out of the oven when I felt warm hands come around my waist. Smiling, I said nothing when I felt his hot lips brush against my neck, sending chills across my body. “Morning, baby.”
“Good morning, Husband.”
I heard him moan, kissing my neck again as he whispered. “I really like the sound of that.”
“That’s good because you married her,” Massacre said, coming up behind us, slapping Balthazar on his back. “Seriously though, Ari's breakfast was amazing. I can’t wait to see what’s for lunch.”
“My wife is not cooking you lunch.”
“Why not?”
“I did not marry her so she could cook for you.”
“Then why did you marry her?” Massacre asked, with a crazy grin on his face. The kitchen had instantly gotten quiet, and when I looked around, everyone was waiting, listening for Balthazar’s response.
I could readily admit, I was curious too. I know he said he wanted to wake up with me forever and have babies with me, but was that a solid reason for marrying? I thought people married because they loved each other. I knew on some level I did love Balthazar, and my feelings for him were growing every day, but what about him? Did he love me? Did he genuinely want to be married to me? Was it all because of the drink? Looking at him as he stared blankly at Massacre, there was a wash of emotions across his face, though none of them spoke of love.
He looked confused, angry, upset, even regretful, but not a man in love. And when he looked at me, well, I didn’t need to hear his answer. His face said it all. Smiling, I turned to Massacre and politely said, “Massacre, it’s not nice to put someone on the spot like that, especially before coffee.”
“You tell him, baby girl,” Momma Roxy said, agreeing with me. “You leave Ghost alone.”
“Yes ma’am.”
I looked at Momma Roxy, and I could see the compassion on her face. I didn’t have to say anything. She saw his look too. I wish I could say his silence didn’t hurt me, but it did. I was ready to shout to the rooftops how much I loved him, but he felt differently, and that was okay. Not every marriage started out with love and happiness. Well, at least I didn’t think they all did. I’d seen many young girls get married, and they looked more fearful than happy. Maybe that’s how marriages started. I wasn’t sure.
While everyone finished their breakfast, I went outside for some fresh air. The morning dew still sparkled on the grass as birds, bees, and other wildlife went about their morning. It indeed was a glorious day. Walking over to one of the many picnic tables, I sat down and just enjoyed God’s creation, forgetting about everything. I needed this peaceful time so badly. So much had happened so fast, my head was still spinning. So many people had stopped their lives to help me, especially Balthazar. My new life was scary and dangerous, but most of all, it was exciting. Never in my life would I have ever imagined myself where I was today. Yet, I was, and I was still alive.
I had seen my face on the news when I was at the mall yesterday with Momma Roxy and the girls. I saw my face and Balthazar’s as a reporter talked with my Uncle, though I didn’t hear what they were saying. However, I read the captions and words like kidnapped, dangerous, and FBI, I understood. But I didn’t understand why my Uncle was looking for me. He’d never shown me any interest until I came of age, and I didn’t know why he went to the public. That was forbidden according to the community laws.
Mainly I was worried about Balthazar. Since I’d met him, he wasn’t a talker, though he liked giving orders. At times, I felt as if I were an inconvenience, a nuisance that he was left to deal with, then almost in the same minute, he would hug me, kiss me, or smile at me. He was confusing, and I didn’t know what to make of him most times. When we arrived here, he ignored me and left me in the care of Roxy and the other girls, which I didn’t mind. I just wished he’d at least introduced me to them. Then out of the blue, he asked me to marry him. I knew he was acting differently because of the liquid libation he had drunk, but he looked so serious, so determined. My heartbeat wildly for him, and I couldn’t refuse him. That night was magical. Just thinking about it made my body heat up with excitement. Yet, I don’t think he actually knew what he wanted. That maybe he spoke before he thought of what he was asking, especially seeing how he reacted a few minutes ago. If I didn’t know any better, I would say he honestly didn’t want to be married.
I don’t know why that hurt me to think of it, but deep down, I knew it was okay for him to think and feel that way. I could change my hair, put some make-up on, even dress differently, but deep down, I was still the same innocent girl who didn’t know anything. I had nothing to offer him. Until I did, he had every right to question his decision.
A soft rustling sound behind me had me turning. Smiling, I got up and walked over to the tree line as two baby raccoons, and their mother scavenged for food. They were adorable as I watched them. Carefree and unencumbered by the world around them. They knew what they desired, what their life entailed, and they accepted it with ease.
I was about to turn away when I spotted something deeper in the tree line.
Something was crawling along the ground.
It was a man.
He looked familiar.
I could tell something was wrong.
He was hurt.
He lifted his head and whispered in a raspy voice, “Run Ari,” before he collapsed entirely. That’s when someone clamped a gloved hand over my mouth. I don’t know why I didn’t struggle, but the next thing I felt was a sharp sting to my neck as I watched the world turn black around me.
Twenty
Ghost