Chapter 7- Driving Away
The constant sound of the car's wheels grinding over the cold pavement keeps me awake, staring blanklessly out into nothing. We sit in silence, afraid we will disturb each other's thoughts of misery. I turn my deadened stare towards my lap, tears waiting to fall. I don't know what to think, we've been driving for hours, I lost count after an hour, it seemed too long and slow moving. He didn't even look at me; his hands never loosened their grip on the steering wheel, the only thing real to him. I kept glancing over at him, hoping he would say something to me, and when he didn't, I went back to mindless stares concentrating on the littlest things. My quilt that kept me warm in the broken-down car was one of them. I noticed all of the intricate patterns weaving in and out of the soft fabric, I was glad I listened to him and brought it along. It brought warmth into a startling world of horror and coldness.
I lost interest in the quilt quickly and glanced back at him. His eyes unwavering and determined, hands rough and tiring, his heart aching. I could hear it pounding, nervous, petrified. I remained staring at him for the longest time, noticing every single detail and line in his face, until he noticed me. He saw the hunger in my eyes for him, saw the worry in my heart for us, and the pain in my back swelling in just one glance.
"Sydney," his voice gruff, cutting off the unsettling silence, "I know of a contact out here. He has a vineyard about ten miles from here. We can rest there and maybe, hopefully arrange away home." He turned his focus back on the road, not wanting to look at me. His fingers began to fidget and drum on the steering wheel, anxious. I pulled the warm quilt closer and tighter around my sore body. I had to know the answers to the questions that were burning to get out. No matter how much it will hurt him to answer, which I know it will, and no matter how much it will hurt me to sit still and listen to him suffering
"What happened while I was sleeping?" a discomforting silence followed my question, that longed to be answered. I was afraid he'd get upset with me, or just not answer, trying to protect me. He opened his mouth to speak and then let his guard down, bringing up tears instead of walls.
"After you had gone back to sleep, I stayed there beside you for hours, tending to your wound. I couldn't think of anything else to do. You were soo peaceful lying there, but in horrendous pain and I couldn't do a thing." He still stared out into the clear night, only moving his eyes to dispense unwanted tears.
"I would get up and make something for me to eat, but couldn't manage to eat it." He paused regaining his composure, he knew what he had to tell me next would hurt him all over again. "Then, out of nowhere, they came, shooting the glass out of every window and door. I ran to your room to make sure you were still there, hopefully oblivious to everything. You were, and I was so relieved. I didn't want to go through that. They left as soon as they had come. I peeked out the window without glass to see him. A chill ran down my spine, not believing it. I forgot about him quickly, as I ran about the small house, searching for things that might be useful to us, knowing that we had to leave, knowing that they would return within the hour. Then I heard you faintly whispering, trying so hard to reach me," he stopped, and as he took a deep breath, concentrating even harder on the road, I knew that he loved me. My heart yearns for him as he sits there telling me of an ambush I did not see, which he was glad.
"You tried soo hard and I just barked orders at you. You are hurt and I yelled at you. I'm sorry, Sydney. I'm sorry. I just didn't want to lose you again." He slowly turned his head facing mine. Tears streaming down my face, the emptiness that had began to crack open again was now closing itself back up.
I want to hug him and kiss him with every feeling in my body, but can't because I can barely move. All I can do is nod and whisper back, "Don't be sorry, I didn't even notice. In fact, I'm glad you did. Don't be sorry. I understand." My voice is starting to cause my wound more hurting. Every muscle still aches from another's action. I lift my head, cringing with pain, tears gracefully falling onto the quilt, tears of pure pain.
He removed one of his tense hands from the wheel and tenderly caressed my arm, soothing me. "Shhh, it's okay. I'm here." Yes, you are here and that is all that truly matters to me. I crack a fraction of a smile, knowing how much he means to me. He pulls his hand away from me regretting it, taking away warmth and comfort with it, to steer the car smoothly into the driveway leading to anther safe house, another contact. As soon as he completes the turn to safety, he puts his hand back exactly where it had been before, with more love and comfort than before. I close my eyes and wait peacefully for us to approach the house, silently enduring the pain penetrating through my body except for my arm.
Vaughn parked the car in front of the main house and got out of the car, hurrying to my side to help me before I had the chance to help myself. He opened the door and crouched down placing his sturdy hand in the middle of my back, careful not to touch the wound still bleeding. Supporting me, he guided me out of the car and up the steps to the front door, always double checking my balance and keeping a firm, yet affectionate grip on me. As he rang the doorbell, a young woman came and answered the door, as soon as she saw me, wrapped in a blanket bleeding; she knew why we were here. She saw the torture and tiredness in our eyes full of blackness, without saying a word, we followed her, not separating from each other's comforting touch. She welcomed us in and lead us downstairs in the basement, past several hallways and finally to a back room, where we could sleep.
Vaughn thanked her and said to get us if any problems arise in trying to connect with the CIA, all without losing his grip on my arm. The room she led us to was small with only one bed, a dresser, and a connecting bathroom. Vaughn directed me to the bed and helped me lay down, with such tenderness. Wrapping another blanket over me, he let go of my arm. He turned around carelessly turned the light off, and without thinking he crept into the bed and placed his strong soothing arms over my body, relaxing and untensing every bone in my body. We drifted off into a deep sleep without any fear or worry affecting us.
I heard his every breath falling into my ears reassuring me, felt his every heartbeat gently pump gently against my back. Before I begin nod off, into a much deserved sleep, he kisses my head, thinking I'm asleep, and gently whispers, "I love you" into my ear, I shiver feeling it press deep into my heart. Thinking I shiver because of the severe coldness, he tightens his hold on me, making me smile even harder. I fall asleep, smiling and carefree.
*Hope you enjoyed this chapter!!! Don't worry there's much more to come, with much more surprises and turns!!!!! Please REVIEW!!!!! I want to know what you think!!!!! Plus it makes me have a greater ambition to write faster!!!!(Hint!!!!)
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