*I do not own The Violet Eden chapters or the characters. All credit is due to the inspiring Jessica Shirvington*
We arrived four hours later, Iowa. It was small and as I saw my parents grinning like fools at each other I knew it was perfect. I grabbed my suitcase off the conveyer belt and started walking towards the exit. I put my hand up, intending to call a taxi, but my dad grinned at me and said, "There are no taxi's here, but we have a rental." We loaded our stuff into the back of a silver Prius; I went around and sat in the back. I could hear my parents muffled whispers and I definitely noticed their worried looks; but I didn't care. I knew they just cared about me and were worried that leaving my home, leaving my Li- no! I was not going to think about him, but no matter what I said to myself, he's all I could think about as we drove to our new house.
It was cute, the kind of house that has a white picket fence and nosey neighbors. I knew my parents loved it; it was such a change from the usual chaos of the city. I wanted to love it, it was to be my new home, but I knew the truth. My home is where Lincoln is. I shoved the thought down immediately, before it would fester and break the calm I have tried so hard to keep. I was ignoring my parents, not because I was mad or anything, but because I knew if I saw how happy they were I wouldn't be able to take it. I grabbed my luggage with a quick smile to my dad and headed into the house. I didn't care what it looked like; I just saw the stairs and went for them. At the top there were four doors I chose the one farthest away from what I assumed was the master bedroom. Inside there was nothing but the bed my parents had bought for me from some little mom and pop shop that delivers. I set my bag down and took in the room, it was pink. It was this light rose pink that irritated and soothed me at once; I decided it was acceptable, besides I noticed this room had its own bathroom. The closet wasn't too big, but I didn't have too many clothes so it would be acceptable. Acceptable was turning into my new favorite word, it summed everything up perfectly: I didn't want to be here, away from my friends and him. But I knew if I stayed there I would only rip everyone's lives apart, so I chose the one that hurt less. The one that held the least casualties, the one that was acceptable.
I started to unload my belongings, I needed to keep my mind preoccupied or it would float to territory that would leave me emotionally raw.
It took about three hours to get completely settled, I didn't have that much but I did my best to drag out the process. After I finished I went to go and see if my parents needed any help. My mom had her long brown hair up in a bun with long tendrils falling everywhere, even now she looked stunning. A few weeks ago I couldn't stand to be in the same room with the woman who trapped me in a world that was threatening to kill me and everyone that I loved; but now after a lot of tears and some good old fashioned mother-daughter bonding, she had become my mom.
"Hey I finished unpacking do you guys need any help?", I asked. My parents both looked at each other some unspoken communication passing between them. "I think we are okay Vi but you know me and your mother have been talking and we-" I held up my hand to stop my dad from continuing. "I know you guys are worried about me but I'm fine, or will be okay? I just need some space." I waited a beat before continuing, "if you guys don't need me then I'm going to go out for a run." I turned and headed for the stairs. I dressed quickly into a pair of shorts and a tank top, slipped on my running shoes, and tied my hair into a high-pony.
I went downstairs and headed for the door, "Wait!" My mom called from the kitchen. She wiped her hands on her apron "be back by 7, we should have family dinners while we still can." I nodded and headed through the door.
Once out I broke into a run, I knew what my mom was talking about but I hadn't exactly filled my dad in on the details yet. After Lincoln's soul was shattered because Phoenix killed me I had gone and made a deal with my angel maker in order to save Lincoln. I had promised to basically become the most lethal Grigori there ever was, putting my life on the line everyday so that I could defeat fallen angels. I needed to be on my own, it was my mission; and believe it or not there aren't too many fallen angel inhabiting Iowa. So soon enough I would need to go to New York aka fallen angel headquarters. My mom was a Grigori for her whole life and understood my need to kill angels, but my dad would be a whole other ballgame.
An hour later I was sweating as I opened the door to my new house. The smell of fish greeted me and my mother's frown told me I was late. "Sorry" I smiled sheepishly as I made my way upstairs. I hopped in the shower to get some of the sweat off of me, and that's when I felt it. Lincoln. He was trying to find me; I could feel him searching me out through our connection. I held my breath, like that could actually hide me from him. I had let my barriers slip while I was running, but no more, I began to put the bricks back into place so that I would be better hidden. I knew it wouldn't save me, and it was only a matter of time, but that was kind of the beauty of being Earths newest super soldier- I wouldn't stay in one place for too long. I finished my shower and put on my sweats.
I headed down stairs where my parents were talking in hushed whispers, no doubt about me. Sighing I walked in and sat down at the table, they immediately pulled apart looking guilty. I could've just used my super hearing to listen, but I knew that was unfair.
"Pass the fish," I asked. My mom wordlessly handed me the fish. I ate my food in silence, knowing that my parents were trying to give me the space I had asked for, but regretted asking because I think I hurt their feelings. After I finished eating I excused myself and headed up to my room. I sat on my bed and remembered Steph. I had promised that I would call her once I got to my new house. I grabbed my new cell phone and dialed her.
"Hello?" I breathed a sigh, just hearing her familiar voice brought tears to my eyes.
"Steph?" I asked, knowing it was her, just needing to hear her again.
"VIOLET!" she shrieked. I heard a thump in the background and Steph grunt. My panic mode came on. "Steph? Steph are you there? Is everything alright?" I asked.
I heard a sharp intake of breath, "Vi?" breathed a voice made of honey. A voice I knew I should hang up on right now before I forget why I had to leave him.
"Linc" I said trying to keep my voice steady, but I knowing it came out as a plea.
"Vi where are you? I'll come and get you. Are you alright? Why'd you leave?" His voice hit me like a freight train. Why'd I leave? Why'd I leave? I left because I loved you and couldn't let you go through the same pain again, I couldn't let your soul shatter because I was selfish. Instead I said. "I'm sorry, this is what I have to do, don't look for me, good bye Linc."
"Wait! No Vi I lov-" and that was it, I hung up on the only man I had ever loved. It felt so wrong, like depriving myself of oxygen. It hurt more than any wound ever could. I lied back down on my bed and although it wasn't acceptable, I let myself cry. I poured every ounce of hurt, pain, loss, and love into those tears until I was left with nothing but dry heaves racking my body. It wasn't fair that it had to be me! That I couldn't be with my soul mate! But I don't feel pity for myself, I don't live in a fairy tale. I knew these tears would have to be my last.