Prologue
"Hunter! Just take a deep breath!"
His fingers wrapped around my wrist perfectly, the pressure sure to leave bruises. His eyes lit up with manic anger. "Why can't you just leave me alone?!"
I shook my head, thoughts racing a mile a minute; This wasn't part of the plan. It was supposed to be so simple. I had to do something to take him by surprise to hopefully calm his manic state.
I closed my eyes, pulling a breath in, and threw my available fist at his face. The resounding crunch I felt in my hand dragged a hiss from my lips, but the punch had loosened his grip on my wrist enough for me to pull it out of his grasp.
"I can't leave you alone because I don't know how to deal with this myself! I need you, Hunter, please." I begged.
His hand was still resting on his cheek where my fist had landed. He didn't move, head still turned to the side from where it had snapped. I heard a dry chuckle before he turned his glare on me. I refused to waiver, ignoring my instincts that this might have finally gotten out of my control.
"I don't need you, Aria. You're on your own."
He walked away, not even giving a glance back. I willed my back straight to keep from folding into myself; the pressure in my chest expanding. I felt the tears falling from my eyes, clouding my view of Hunter walking away from me. I felt my nails digging into my wrist, crescent shaped marks threatening to break through the skin. A sob threatened to rip itself out of my lungs.
"Hunter.." I whispered, voice too gravelly to call out for him, "Please, don't leave me.."