I tried so hard to keep it all together - to put on a brave face and act like everything was just fine even though I was dying inside. I think Jake knew it though because I felt him take my hand in his as we walked through the dark deserted streets of Atlanta. I turned my head to look over at him, the streetlights lighting up his features. His dark blue eyes shined in the darkness even though I could tell he was tired and the bit of scruff on his jawline showed just how long we had been isolated here. It almost made me cry because of how beautiful he was. Even though he refused to acknowledge it.

Caught in the riptide

As we walked on, memories came back to me in flashes - the day we had first met at the hospital, the day he had made me so angry I had thrown a spoon at his head... but most of all I remembered the day he told me he loved me... It was the best day of my life.

I was searching for the truth

He changed me in ways I didn't think possible. I looked at life differently because of him. Nothing was the same...in the best way possible.

There was a reason

But everything was about to change again...and not for the better. There was a way out of the Cordon and I didn't want to go. Not without Jake.

I collided into you

Tears filled my eyes as I thought of him being here on his own. How I wouldn't be around if he needed me. How could I live without him?

Calling your name in the midnight hour

Suddenly, I could see Jana and Suzy up ahead. They held duffel bags in their hands and Theresa, her boyfriend and their baby were waiting also. My throat closed up at the sight. And then it hit me. This was it. We were really going.

Reaching for you from the endless dream

I squeezed Jake's gloved hand and shut my eyes briefly. He looked over to me and smiled sadly as we reached the others. Jana pulled me into a hug while Jake handed my suitcase full of clothes to Suzy.

So many miles between us now

"We need to get going." Jana spoke up, breaking the silence.

I nodded solemnly as the others started to follow Officer Meese. I willed my feet to move but I couldn't do it. I stopped halfway before suddenly, I just broke down. I couldn't hold it in anymore.

But you are always here with me

Tears ran down my cheeks and I ran to Jake, falling into his arms. He wrapped them around me tightly and I sobbed into his faded, worn police uniform.

"I can't do it, Jake! I just can't do it! I can't leave you here-" I said into his shirt before breaking off into more sobs.

He shushed me and placed light kisses into my dark brown hair as he ran his fingers through it.

"It's gonna be okay, you're gonna be okay. You can do this," he told me softly and I lifted up my eyes to meet his.

I shook my head furiously at him.

"No, I can't! I can't, I can't!"

Nobody knows why

"Hey, yes, you can!" he said, cupping his hands around my face, "This is the only chance you're going to have to get out of here. You have to take it! You have to!"

Looking into his sapphire-blue eyes, I knew what he said was true. But that didn't change my mind.

Nobody knows how or when

"Hey, look, I'm sorry but we need to go. We can't wait any longer." Officer Meese said, trying to pull me away from Jake.

Jake shoved him away, pointing a finger at him.

"Don't touch her! You guys just go ahead, she'll be right behind you." he ordered.

Meese nodded and walked off, leading the others down the tunnel. Their footsteps faded in the distance.

This feeling begins just like a spark

Turning back to Jake, my heart thumped in my chest. I still felt the same way for him as I did the day I first saw him.

Tossing and turning inside of your heart

Those feelings would never fade. I loved him with all of my heart.

"I won't leave you no matter what you say. I'm not leaving you!" I shouted at him, angrily brushing away my tears.

Exploding in the dark

The tears kept coming though and Jake took me in his arms once more. How could I forsake this? My safety, my security, my home was all in his arms. I didn't feel safe anywhere else.

Calling your name in the midnight hour

As I wept into his chest, I could feel Jake shaking beneath me, silently crying. It was breaking him, too. Much more than he let on. I pulled away from him then, wiping away my tears.

Reaching for you from the endless dream

"Will I ever see you again?" I whispered and he sniffled, brushing a stray strand of hair away from my face with his fingertips.

Nodding, he smiled through his tears, "What does your heart tell you?"

"Yes...I guess," I choked out.

"Then we will see each other again..." he said gently.

So many miles between us now

"I love you, Jake Riley." I said, trying to smile.

"I love you, too." he said before pressing his lips to mine softly before turning away to go.

I sniffled before walking towards the tunnel, clutching the heart necklace around my neck.

But you are always here with me

I looked back for a split-second, watching his silhouette walking off into the distance. Closing my eyes briefly, I tread into the darkness of the tunnel, my footsteps echoing.

1 Week Later...

We made it out of the Cordon that night and I was back in my apartment now...without him. Fingering my necklace, I remembered the day Jake gave it to me as a birthday present. My first birthday in the Cordon, I thought wryly. But it hadn't been so bad because he was there with me...and now...now I might never see him again. Never marry him, have children with him, start that life we had always talked about starting together. And if I couldn't be with Jake...then I didn't want to be with anyone.

Oh inside me

Tears streamed down my face once more at the thought. Gosh, I hoped he would be okay in there. I needed him to be safe.

I find my way

But I would find my way.

Back to you, back to you

I would find my way back to him. I was certain of that.

Calling your name in the midnight hour

Suddenly, my cellphone lit up as it began to ring. I looked over at the clock, noticing the time.

12:00 AM

My eyebrows furrowed and hesitantly, I swiped the "Talk" button.

Reaching for you from the endless dream

"Baby? Is that you?" a masculine voice asked from the other end.

My heart soared in my chest at the sound and tears poured down my face.

"Jake," I croaked out, falling on my knees.

I put my hand over my mouth in shock.

So many miles between us now

"Baby, I can't talk long but are you okay? Are you safe? You're not sick?" he asked and I could hear the concern in his voice.

"No, Jakey, I'm okay. I'm fine," I said, smiling through my tears.

"I know I'm not there-" he started but I cut him off.

But you are always here with me

"You are always here with me, Jake. Always." I sniffled, holding my necklace tightly in my fist.

I could almost hear him smile.

We talked for what seemed like forever but in reality, I'm sure was only a few minutes. We talked, we laughed...gosh, I had missed that laugh so much.

"I wish I could see you right now." I said through the line.

He barked out a laugh at that and I grinned.

"You wouldn't want to, believe me...," he said before pausing a moment, "No one washes my clothes anymore for me."

I burst out laughing and Jake did too.

"You are so lazy, Officer Riley," I mocked, tucking my feet underneath me where I sat on the floor.

"How can I be anything else? My motivator isn't here." he snickered.

I rolled my eyes at that and bit my lip.

Two words

Jake Riley.

In your hands

The words resounded in my mind long after the phone call had ended...

In your hearts

And well into the night as I lay in my bed.

It's whole universe

I could see the stars shining outside my window and my heart felt better knowing that Jake was looking at the same stars.

"There are no monsters under the bed," I said quietly in the silence of my room.

"No monsters in your head," Jake spoke from inside the hospital as he watched the night sky, "Tomorrow brings new day of light."

You are always here with me

"Sweet dreams, my prince..." I said softly, a single tear rolling down my cheek.

"Good night..." Jake echoed the same sentiment.