CHAPTER 40 - TOBIAS
I found her. I found Beatrice. She lays here, broken and shattered, in my arms. It isn't until I try to get her to stand up when I realize she is asleep in my arms. I carefully slip my arms under her and lift up her frail body, her head still leaning against my neck. It's cold.
Zeke and Amar run over after making sure the coast is clear. Amar sees Beatrice's condition and his eyes widen. His eyes widen even more when he sees the bodies of the two guards. I step over them and start walking back to the vehicle without another word. Beatrice shifts in my arms, her eyebrows furrowing, and lets out a small gasp.
I lean my head down and press my lips to her cold forehead.
"I love you, too."
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Mr. and Mrs. Prior don't even bother to lock their doors anymore, so getting Beatrice quietly upstairs was no problem. I carried her sleeping form upstairs and into her unique bedroom, setting her down on her bed as softly as I can. I pull the soft blanket over her and crouch beside her bed, softly moving away her loose hair.
"Tobias?" She opens her eyes just by a crack. She looks down at her bed covers on top of her and her entire body relaxes. She smiles just a little bit at me. Her eyelids are drooping shut, so I go sit quietly on her desk stool. Just as I am about to turn around, her hand wraps around my wrist. I look down to see her eyes more open, but filled with fear.
"Don't go. Please." Her grip loosens just a little and she drops her arm beside her.
"I'll be right here Beatrice. I'm not going anywhere. I swear."
Her bright eyes burn into me. She picks nervously at her hair.
"I wanted you to lay next to me. I can't fall asleep anymore."
"Of course." I peel my jacket off and slip my shoes off. I lay down next to her on her soft bed that smells like lemons. She curls her spine into my chest and I wrap my arm around her to keep her close. Her breathing is hoarser than I remember it ever being. But I don't really care right now. What matters is that she is safe again.
And I will keep it like that forever.