Chapter#12
The rain thudded onto my skin in desperate cries.
Truth was I didn't know where I was going. I had hoped that whatever danger was out there would find me.
I darted forward, faster when the sounds of heavy feet trailed behind me.
They matched my speed, in tempo and in pace. Echoing along the stone pathway.
I had no doubt that it was Dimitri who was following me. No one else in this world was as in sync with my body as he was.
I slowed, when my feet could no longer take the restraints of my shoes.
Viciously I ripped them off and threw them into a nearby bush.
Damn it. I would miss those shoes.
I darted forward, faster after releasing my restraints, despite the chill to my feet.
"Roza, stop please."
His voice cradled me, but right now I didn't want to be cradled. I wanted to run.
I wanted not just to escape the danger, but I wanted to eliminate it.
"Leave me alone." I screamed, allowing it to crackle in the mist. It was a desperate cry, one that I hadn't recognized.
I shot forward again. The air snapping against my heavy lungs.
I stumbled, nearly falling, when his body lurched out in front of me. He steadied me with a tug on my arm.
How did he do that? He was only behind me a minute ago.
He didn't let go of me, but gripped tighter to me, both of his hands cupping my bare arms.
"Stop this Roza. It's madness."
"No." I cried. "What's madness is running. Leaving my life behind. I won't do it."
"What do you want?" He yelled, still gripping tighter to me. It was staring to get uncomfortable.
"Roza, please. Just tell me what you want. I'll give you anything."
He released me and dropped down to his knees.
"I can't." He tore his head down, his hair drenching all around him. "I can't lose you." He choked out beneath a hard sniffle. "Whatever you want it's yours, but please, I can't give you up."
"I want you." I cried.
He tore his head up, watching me with expectant eyes.
"You, this life. It's everything. I don't want anything else."
I snuffled. He pulled up. His hands met my desperate face.
I reached out, suddenly feeling I might fall if I didn't prop myself on his shoulders.
"I want you to look at me the way you used to. I want you to love me the way you used to. Like I'm not some fragile little doll."
He kept his eyes on me with intent.
"I want you to stop trying so hard to protect me. I don't want to run. I want to fight. I want to fight for this life. The life I love so much with you and our friends."
He sunk into me, and clung to me while I shot out forceful tears.
"And if I die."
"Don't." He spat, shaking in my clutches.
"No comrade, please listen."
He sighed but pulled apart from me, only enough to look at my face.
"If I die." I could see him cringe, but he let me continue. "I want to die like her. I want to go down knowing that I fought, and that I didn't hide in the shadows. That I didn't run from danger."
He gripped me again, pulling me into his duster to guard me from the rain.
"OK Roza, you win. We will stay."
I pulled back and ran my hands onto his face.
"Let's go home."
I nodded and we made our way back up the street to our room.
