On Wars Edge
My arms and legs were so exhausted from the fighting and running. My lungs felt like they were ready to explode any second. I couldn't walk anymore so I began to pull myself to the edge of the tunnel with my arms. I could feel the burn of my muscles, but I couldn't stop moving. When I was only 10 feet away from the entrance to the city, the gates began to close off the tunnel. They were sealing it off because they knew what was going on in the outskirts. The town bells began to ring. They knew I had escaped. What I had caused.
Just as the doors were halfway closed, I saw him. Even though I couldn't see his face, I knew it was him. He was looking for me. He was waiting for me. He was keeping our promise:
'Wait for me. Next to the fountain, right by the tunnel leading to the outskirts. If I am not there, and they seal the gates, you know what to do. Keep them all safe'.
His hair, those soft brown locks, and the firm outline of his back in the black t-shirt told me that it was him. I wanted to call out to him but my throat was so dry that no words came out. He was frantically running his hands through his hair. A nervous habit that I loved from day one.
Just when I thought it was hopeless, he turned around just as the last part of the gate closed. I could see the shock in his eyes and his lips begin to form words just as the doors slammed and you could heard the huge lock, seal right before me. Sealing me away from him.
The only light coming into the tunnel was from a gap underneath the gate that was enough for my hand to slip through. I put it out there and waved it as a last ditch effort. The next thing I knew, another hand was gripping mine. I felt the warmth and knew who it exactly belonged to. I gripped his hand with everything left in me.
Tears began to block my vision and I wept silently. I'm not ready to leave him. Not after everything we've been through. I pulled his hand underneath the gate so I could see it. His huge hand was so rough yet so smooth to me. They were coarse from working on the machines for such a long time. His long skilled fingers that wiped away my tears, which brushed against my lips and ran through my hair. I memorized every aspect of his hand. Every line, every cut that ever existed.
I began to hear noise coming in through the tunnel and yet, I was still gripping his hand. I started to let go and then he gripped mine even more tightly. The motion pulled at my heart. With my other hand I took off the ring he made me, our secret engagement, and slipped it onto his pinky finger. I then pried his hand off mine and let it go. I then heard his voice. "NO! I am not leaving you."
I sat up against the wall to keep myself from crumbling. He had to follow through with the plan or everything would fail. Footsteps could be heard from tunnel and I knew the group was coming. Wondering if I made it or not. Man would they be disappointed. My breathing became regular again and I spoke to him.
"You need to run and get out of here."
"Not without you!"
"You have to or else they won't make it!"
"You're all I have left." I could hear the strain in his voice. I broke my heart.
"Edward…please…"