Lotte- real original name here, don't you think? Thank you, for everything, for always being here for me, Your the greatest friend one could ask for. But you really aren't a friend, you are a sister, part of soul, you are everything to me, the one thing that I know will never faultier, that will never betray me. I love you, my best friend.
Chapter 2
I had planned on leaving as the sun rose, but Angelina had fallen asleep beside the fire, and I don't have the heart to wake her. I had always expected a child to look peaceful when they sleep, after all, they are said to be clothed in ignorant innocence, masking them from the world, but not this girl. Her face looked almost as if twisted in pain, beads of sweat fall down her forehead, occasionally she whimpered something, before rolling over, burring her face into the blanket.
"Michael... Please." She whimpered, wrapping her arms tightly around her frail body.
"Stop!" She jolted up, gasping for breath. Looking around, her eyes fell upon me. Her whole body seemed to quiver as she wrapped the blanket tightly around her.
"What time is it?" She asked in a shaky, quiet voice.
"The sun has long since risen." She hung her head, slowly rising to her feet.
"You didn't leave?" She rose her gaze to look me in the eyes, her haunting deep eyes burning into me.
"I decide to stay a bit longer than I anticipated." I smiled down at her, letting her know I was waiting for her. Her painful gaze lifted, as she shed a brief smile.
"And when do you plan to leave?" Angelina inquired in a childish tone.
"Whenever you wish." Her face turned a pastel red, as she took the blanket off of her shoulders, folding it up. Hesitantly, she approached me, placing the blanket on the floor before me, as I packed everything I own into the small bag I have taken to carrying.
"Thank you." She whispered, making her way over to the door, waiting for me to follow her out.
We traveled in silence, Angelina walking two steps behind me, her eyes darting from side to side, always keeping a watchful eye.
"What are you running from?" My curiosity got the better of me as I tried to end the awkward silence, but she refused to answer.
"No one would choose to travel with me, so what are you trying to escape from?" I stopped walking, turning to meet the hateful look in her eyes.
"Nothing that should be spoken of." She hissed, passing by me, to walk a head.
"Nothing any one should know of." The anger in her voice subsided, replaced with sorrow.
"Angelina..." I began, not knowing what to say, but wanting to say something comforting. I know what true sorrow is, for I have gone through more of it that any one should feel in a life time.
"What-"
"No!" She cut me off, spinning around to face me.
"Just don't ask, please don't ask." She whimpered, looking up at me with childish eyes. Sighing, I nodded my head, allowing her to drop the obviously uncomfortable subject.
What she said rang in my mind, what had happened to her? What did that Michael do to her?
"Erik!" Her voice brought my mind back to reality, gazing upon the scene in front of me in horror. A man stood in front of Angelina, his large hands clasped around her tiny wrists, holding them up in the air as she fought against him, trying to kick, but failing.
"You little wretch!" He screamed at her, trying to drag her away, despite her obvious protest.
"Let her go." I hissed at him, stepping closer in a threatening manner. The man's green eyes fell upon me, as a wicked grin spread across his face.
"What's this angel? Find yourself a boyfriend?" He tightened his grip on her, causing her to whimper in pain.
"Let go! Michael, let me go!" She kicked at him with all her strength, her tiny foot digging deep into his groin, causing him to scream out in pain. Within an instant, she ripped herself away from his grip, running over to me. Despite her harsh feelings towards me, she grasped at the fabric of my shirt, silently begging for my protection. Slowly the man rose, staring hatefully at me and Angelia.
"Angel, please." He whispered, looking down at her.
"What would your parents think of you being with this... stranger, come home please." He stepped towards us, only causing her to dig herself deeper into me, burring her face into my side.
"What would they think!" She turned her face to glare at him, wrapping her arms tighter around me, her body shaking violently.
"What would they think of what you have done to me?"
Horror flashed in his eyes, as they jumped from her, to me.
"I Haven't done anything Angel, I love you. I would never do anything to hurt you." He extended his hand towards her, sinking to his knees.
"You didn't do anything, Michael?" She screamed, tears streaming down her face. Against my better nature, I wrapped my arm around her frail body in a brotherly manor, trying to calm her.
"Come Angelina." I spoke in a sweet, sincere tone. She rose her gaze to look my in the eye, a questioning look upon her face. Looking back at the man, she nodded her head, letting me lead her away from him.
"You bastard! She is mine!" Michael screamed, lunging at me.
"You can't take her from me!" He tried to rip her from my grasp, but failed as I threw my elbow into his ribs. He stumbled back, trying to catch his breath.
"Don't hurt him," She whimpered, drawing away from me, to look into his eyes, glaring daggers.
"You have hurt me far too long, you have stolen away something that I shall never get back, I hate you Michael, do you hear me, I hate you, for every thing you have done to me, every thing you have made me do." The tone in her voice stung my ears, her hatred for this man surrounding us. Slowly she crept to him, a triumphant smile upon her grace. I know the look in her eyes, for mine have held it long ago, towards a man who once kept me, Javert. Every fiber of her small being hates this man, and longs to do what I have done.
"Angelina, come on." I called to her, noticing the streets start to fill with people, their gazes resting upon us. She spun around, looking at me with disappointment, also noticing the stares. Slowly she nodded her head, returning to me, careful not to touch me, as I lead her away from Michael.
He didn't dare follow us, not with a crowd watching him with distate. Over my shoulder I watched him curse, turning, and slowly walk in the other direction. Angelina was safe now, with me.
