Alright, so let me start off by saying: Holy Christ on a cracker. I did NOT expect this to blow up the way it did. I thank you all who read the first chapter, you have no idea how much I appreciate it. I've been very hesitant to write this next chapter. I wanted it to be as good as the last and I wanted you all to like it. My boyfriend sat me down and told me I needed to do this for me. And he's right. I need to write this story because I WANT to. But I also want you all to enjoy it with me. And if this doesn't do as well as the last chapter, then so be it. I'm thankful for the praise my first chapter received. Thank you. So much, for everything so far. I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint! Enjoy!
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Ib wandered through crowded city streets, trying to catch her breath. From Garry's front door, to here, she had run. Not stopping once. Weaving in and out of groups of people past theaters, bars, clubs, and restaurants, Ib finally turned down a mostly empty alley way. There were grime coated dumpsters, and a mattress reeking of urine. Ib supposed that several people made this their home by the stacks of garbage arranged into crude sorts of beds.

She quickly passed through, hardly daring to breathe as she passed by the mattress and came out the other side onto a busy street. On the other side there was a row of shops then a park, and then just in the distance, the pier. The young woman bit her lip and darted across the four lanes of traffic as soon as she saw a break wide enough for her to fit through. Several people honked, but she paid them no mind. Once safely on the sidewalk Ib leaned against the nearest building to even her breathing.

Her memory began to creep up on her and she thought about the moment just before she stormed out of Garry's apartment. The way her heart skipped, the desire to grasp his hands and never let go. There was a feeling in her chest of regret and worry. No matter what Garry had been about to say, she should have stayed, listened. But if she had... There was the chance that he would have said the words that could have shattered her reality. She had promised herself to Darren, and nothing was going to change that. Or at least she hoped nothing would.

Ib had begun walking while she thought. Her heart ached in a way she hadn't felt before. She'd had her share of heart breaks, but it hadn't felt like this. It hurt. It felt empty. Almost as if she had lost some part of her on the way over here. She paused and looked into the window of the shop she was standing near. Letting out a soft whimper, she turned away, afraid of the flood of memories and rush of emotion glancing around the familiar cafe would bring. It was Garry's favorite spot in town. He had spoken to her about the macaroons in the gallery. An involuntary shudder shook her body from head to toe. Her stomach flipped and she felt like she may vomit. Slowly limping away from the small shopping area, she caught her balance on a bench at the edge of the part.

A large gust of wind blew though and shook the trees throughout the park. Ib squinted through the wind and saw rolling black clouds. It was going to rain. And it would rain hard. Ib welcomed it. Maybe the cold could numb her to the rapidly swirling emotions threatening to spill over at any moment. What had brought her here? This was the center of all her happiest most intimate memories with Garry. It was also sickeningly close to the ruins of the art gallery where they had met. A few weeks after they had escaped, a bunch of teens had broken into the building. Some freak accident caused the building to burn down. Ib and Garry had guessed that the gallery had tried to take them too. It was a comfort to know that a majority of Guertena's works had been destroyed. But it didn't take away the nightmares. It didn't erase the constant fear that they would wake up back in those hellish hallways at the mercy of Mary and her box cutter.

Ib contemplated what Garry had said as she wandered the path way down to the pier. All they really had was each other. After they survived that place. There were frequently times for years after where they would cling to each other. Ib would cry. And Garry would shake uncontrollably. They would try to process the reality of the things they had seen and survived through. The horror had a lasting impact, and neither of them would be the same after. Ib wasn't sure if she could continue living if she didn't have Garry by her side. He was her safety. Her security. It was only because of him that she was ever able to accomplish anything.

The rain began to fall softly as she neared her destination. There was one place she had in mind. The farthest out you could go. Just in front of the light house. The closer she got, the harder it rained, but she was determined. Her mind slowly wandered back to the memory she wanted.

Ib held Garry's hand tightly. She was fifteen years old and had never been down to this far in her life. Her friends constantly made fun of her. The spot in front of the light house the was most secluded area in town. The prime make out spot for all the obscenely horny teenagers. If that light house could talk, it would have some very steamy stories to tell. Ib had confided in Garry how sick of the teasing she was. How much she just wanted her friends to leave her alone. He had told her to bring her best girl friend from school to their cafe. While they waited in the cafe, Garry would take her down and they would hang out and talk for a while. When they came back up, her friends would think she'd finally had her first kiss and would stop teasing her. Ib couldn't thank Garry enough for coming up with the plan. However as they wandered down to put it into action, she began to get nervous. What if they followed? What if she broke down and told them all nothing had happened? She couldn't just lie to her friends like that, could she? Garry assured her everything would be fine. He gave her that heart melting smile he was so famous for, and Ib couldn't help but trust him.

When they stepped out onto the private deck, Garry pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her to keep her warm from the blasting winds of the ocean. "Garry... Thank you for doing this for me." She had said in almost a whisper.

"Of course, Ib. I know how cruel high schoolers can be. It hasn't been so long since I my self was dealing with silly ridicule from friends." He nuzzled his face between her neck and shoulder. Ib leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his breath on her neck. He opened his mouth and she shivered feeling the heated breath as he pressed himself closer to her neck. Her eyes slipped closed and she relaxed against him. Completely innocent to what was going on, Ib gasped and her eyes snapped open when his teeth sank delicately into the flesh of her neck.

"G-Garry!" He ignored her and pressed his teeth harder against her skin, causing her to give another muffled groan. Pulling and sucking at the small and tender bit of flesh in his mouth, Garry worked a small bright red oval into her neck. When he pulled away, Ib was breathing heavily and was clinging dizzily to him. "Garry! What have you just done! I thought I was supposed to be able to trust you! I-" He cut her off by pressing his lips firmly against hers. He pulled her tightly against him and intensified the kiss. He pulled away gently and leaned down to her ear.

"That especially pesky girl, Tabbitha or whatever followed us." He whispered. "I'm so sorry for doing this. I hope you can forgive me. You're more than welcome to punish me however you wish when we are removed from the company of your friends." As he pulled away from her, Ib could plainly see the fear in his eyes. He was afraid of upsetting her. Of losing her friendship. Ib's crimson irises softened, and her anger with him quickly subsided. Placing her hands on either side of his face, Ib pulled him down and tentatively pressed her mouth against his again. She kissed him softly, and he let her do as she wished, letting her guide him as far as she would allow him to go. Several moments of soft and quiet kisses, Ib gave Garry the strongest hug she could manage.

"Thank you, Garry... I was upset... I am upset... But I know you were only trying to help. And honestly. If anyone was going to have my first kiss... I'm glad it was you."

The memory ended and Ib stood in the very spot they shared the kiss, her arms wrapped around herself as the wind and rain assaulted her from all sides. She was lost in the warmth of her memories, and when she felt strong arms wrap around her, it was instinct to lean into them. Tilting her head up she spoke the only words on her mind. "I love you, Garry..."

"I'm sorry, my darling... What did you say?" Spoke a terrifyingly familiar voice. Ib's cozy trance crashed around her as she opened her eyes to see the startling jade color of her fiancee's eyes staring back at her.