CHAPTER 43 - BEATRICE
My head pounds as I open my eyes to the bright sunlight. As my eyes finally adjust, I realize where I am. Home. I feel Tobias' arm around my waist, his chest against my back.
"Good morning," I murmur. He laughs, the vibration warming my cold body.
"More like good afternoon," he sighs against my ear. I slowly turn so that I am facing him. Tobias' eyes are beautiful in the sunlight that floods through my window. He rest his hand on the side of my face and our foreheads touch.
"Thank you," I whisper. My lips brush his as I speak. "For finding me."
He closes the distance by pressing his lips to mine gently, then pulls away.
"Any time, little girl."
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Tobias' arm is looped around my shoulders as he helps me walk out of my room. My body is so weak from the lack of food that I can practically smell the frozen pizzas my family keeps in the basement fridge. My stomach grumbles in complaint.
The food is so close. Hurry up, Stumpy Legs!
I try not to look at Caleb's locked bedroom door. But I do. Shivers follow down my spine and I lean heavily onto Tobias. He supports me.
"You really need to eat." I nod, too hungry to speak.
Together, we walk down the stairs and into the living room. My parents sit on the leather couch, their gazes focused on points beyond my understanding. Mom looks like the life was sucked out of her and she clutches a pillow to her stomach. Dad just looks depressed; or relieved. I can't really tell. But the second Tobias and I walk into that room, they transform into the people I once admired for my entire life.
"Beatrice! Oh my little girl!" my mother cries out as she envelopes me in her arms. I don't squirm away like I used to before the 'incident.' Yes, that's what I'll call it now. Tobias' arm slips away from my shoulders and he steps back for my parents and I to have a private moment. As my father pulls me into his strong arms, I feel his tears fall onto me.
Behind us, the front door closes shut.