Not Anymore
1482 Words
Nina's pov
My heart pounded against my chest as I soared into the sky. I didn't know what to expect when I landed, but surely, the pond was the only clue I had.
My lips pursed tightly upon seeing the shimmering water of the pond. My heart sank when I saw the entire place deserted. It wasn't unusual since it was pretty late at night. But I hoped to catch a glimpse of their presence.
I circled in the air, desperately looking for a sign of Drake or Bree, but I couldn't. With my heart in my throat, I descended to the ground and shifted back. Not knowing where to look, I wandered on the grass, my gaze often lingering on the large oak trees growing on the side.
“Bree!”
My voice diminished into the serene atmosphere. My heart ached. How was my baby? Was he taking care of her? Did she have anything to eat? Was she warm enough? Despite my efforts not to cry, tears of desperation rolled down my cheeks.
I didn't sob. I didn't wail. I wanted to hold onto the tiny ray of hope which was slowly diminishing with every passing hour.
Did he leave the city with her? Was this a new way of torturing me? Did he do this because I didn't meet him?
Perhaps I should have met him and told him to f**k off.
Thoughts of despair ran through my mind. I tried to gulp down the lump in my throat. I couldn't lose hope. I wanted to deny that Bree wasn't sleeping beside her sister, but if life had been how I wanted it to be, my life would have been completely different.
I had to face the truth.
I walked towards the oak trees, wishing I had the power to detect my daughter's scent like the werewolves did. That would have made it so easy to find her.
I reached the oak trees. It was the very place I used to spend time with Drake before we got married. I cast an uninterested glance at the several names carved on their trunks. Numerous new lovers professed their love, vowing to love each other for a lifetime. Drake and I were one of them.
My lips quivered. I wondered how many of these couples kept their promises. How many of them were psychopaths like Drake?
I inhaled a deep breath of air. I was so stupid.
“Bree, where are you? Please be safe.” I whispered to myself.
I heard a dried twig snap. My eyes flung open. I wasn't alone. With widened eyes I looked around. Whoever it was, was skilfully hiding in the shadows.
“Drake? Is that you?” I tried to sound as stern as possible.
It had to be him… right?
“Drake!” My voice raised. “Face me if you're so brave!”
He chuckled and my heart's palpitations went berserk. It was him.
I took an involuntary step back when he stepped out into the open space. My breathing was shallow. I knew facing him wouldn't be easy after enduring years of abuse. But he kidn*pped my daughter, and for her, I'd face death.
“Where is she, you coward?” I spoke in between gritted teeth.
He seemed unbothered. “I knew you'd come someday. Look, Nina. I know I messed up, but you can't keep the girls away from me.” He grinned, shrugging. “I'm their dad.”
My anger rose. I balled my fists as every muscle in my body tensed, preparing for a fight.
I probably wouldn't be able to defeat him. He was a skilled warrior, and I was just me. But I was angry… too angry to care.
“Are you seriously going to ignore my question? Where is Bree?”
He sighed. “She's at home.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Home? I don't know where you mean to call home, but that certainly isn't her home. You have no right to kidnap her from school. You may have fathered them, but you definitely aren't their dad.”
He pursed his lips. “Nina,” he spoke while sauntering towards me. I stepped back. “Please hear me out. Give me a chance to do this right. I was wrong the first time, okay? I don't want to hurt you or the girls… I really don't. Let me prove this to you. I… I have turned my life around. My house is in the village. I have a farm now and I seriously have worked on my anger issues.” He paused, studying my face. “I guess being in the army made it hard for me to reflect on my behaviour. I knew I was hurting you but I didn't know how to work on that fury burning inside me. I… I had time to reflect after I was saved.”
I frowned. Saved? What did he mean by that? To tell the truth, I was least interested in his sob story. I just wanted to find Bree. From what he said, I could tell that she was probably in a nearby village and not in the city. To find out more I had to be smart.
“Saved from what?” I asked, still glaring daggers at him.
His body hunched. “I was badly injured during the war. I don't remember how I escaped. I would have died if it wasn't for an elderly man who nursed me back to health. He lived alone and owned a farm. While I was recovering, I had time to reflect on my actions. And his wise words also helped. I heard about what happened during the war and decided not to return to service. After getting better, I started to help him on his farm. Then tragedy struck. He got sick and died, but before he did, he gave the farm to me. So I now live there. I wouldn't have returned if I didn't desire to see my family. I want you and the girls to come and live with me.”
I studied his face. He always was a smooth talker. His beautiful words and pleasant demeanour fooled me the first time. But not anymore.
Still, he had Bree and I had to save her. I inhaled a deep breath.
“So? Now what? You want me to go with you?”
His eyes lit up, almost like a child excited about getting ice cream. I used to think he looked cute when he looked at me like that, but not anymore.
“Will you?” He asked, enthusiastically.
I sighed. “I guess. But you must let me return.”
The nodding of his head was too eager. “Of course. Besides, we must come back to get Zoey. I assume she is sleeping right now? Your dad must be with her, right?”
His inquiries were unsettling to me. Yet, I nodded my head. I didn't want to give him a reason to raise his guard around me. I wanted to leave with Bree the first chance I got.
“Yeah. I asked dad to watch while I came here.”
He smiled, gazing into my eyes with love…
Deceit… that wasn't love. It was deceit. It was easier to see the mask he wore to conceal his ugly personality ever since I fell out of love with him.
He raised his hand and my whole body tensed. That hand had hurt me too many times. When his fingers brushed my skin I winced. His touch was repulsive.
He seemed to have noticed it. His smile faded as guilt crept onto his face.
“I'm so sorry. I must have hurt you so badly.”
I pursed my lips. Those were the words I yearned to hear back then.
Not anymore.
“I promise. I won't blow this up.”
I forced a smile and asked him. “How is Bree? Is she happy?”
“Of course. I made lasagna for her. She loved it.”
I raised a brow. This man cooked for her?
He offered an anxious chuckle. “I learnt how to cook over the past few years. I told you, I'm working on myself. I think I am good enough to have you all back.”
I smiled… a genuine one this time. If what he said was true, good for him. But even if he did change for the better, I didn't want to be in his life ever again.
“She kept asking for you though,” he said, interrupting my thoughts.
“Of course she did,” I said. “Lead the way. I will follow you.”
We both shifted into our dragons and flapped our wings, soaring through the clouds, travelling away from the city I called home.
- Writer
