Solitary Hearts

She was young

But not naive

Always wise beyond her years

Hoping that no one will see

Every time she dried her tears

Sometimes your mind, your sanity, is all you have left.

Sometimes you are so broken, all you can do is run.

Run far away and hope that they won't follow.

Not ever.

Chapter one.

It was cold, very cold. I was glad I had taken my extra scarf with me, now draping it around my neck. I had a clue where I was going, but I didn't really know how to get there. It didn't matter, I had all the time in the world now. My mind wondered to last week, the week that everything had been too much. I could not take it anymore and left, just like that. The only thing I carried with me was my back pack with clothes, some food, water and my dairy. Nothing more. I no longer cared for make up or other necessities. He had taken that away from me.

My breathing became a little louder while walking faster and faster. I needed to get there, the house in my mind. I had once seen the little wooden house in the woods, when camping with my grandpa. I hoped it was still there. It had been empty at the time, looking like an old shack. But it was the only thing I could think of that would not easily be found. Where he would not find me.

I was not crying anymore, but I didn't know if that was because I was getting stronger or that perhaps my tears were used for this week. Who would know.

It had taken me two whole days to reach this place. Two whole days in which my shoulder hurt like hell, and my body felt like a mess. I knew about the bruises on my face, but since I had not seen another person in the last 24 hours, I was not worrying about it. It was not like I cared if anyone saw. It were the questions that came with it. It hated those the most. People who would fake their emotions just to hear why I looked like I did. Well no more of that. I was escaping. For good this time.

I kept walking while I remembered the last time I had escaped his clutches and then the moment he found me again. He had kept me locked up for 2 whole months straight as a punishment, it was horrible. This time everything would be different. I would never return, not ever. The knife in my side pocket would make sure of it.

My hair hung loose, my curls no longer beautiful and shining. My hair was a mess full of knots and branches. Since my shoulder was hurting the way it was I couldn't even tie my hair into a ponytail. I ignored it. There would be no one to see it anyway. I just placed my hood over my head, hoping to stay warm.

After hours of walking my eyes almost fell from my head when I saw the house of my memory, only it looked so much more beautiful this time. I wondered if I had reached another house perhaps, since this one looked bigger and well taken care off. I slowly advanced and watched the porch around the whole house. It was breathtaking. Was someone living here now?

I couldn't decide what to do. It was getting dark, but there were no lights shining from inside.

I swallowed and feared I would have to search another place to be safe. To live. It looked too good to be true, someone had to live here now. Maybe it was just a holiday home, but I couldn't take the risk.

'Who's there?' came a gruff voice. I froze and looked around, seeing a man with long grey hair hanging around his face. I swallowed and turned to run away when I heard the clicking of a gun.

'Better stay put right there. Get yourself over here, hands where I can see them.' I turned back and stared towards the man, who was waiting for me, his gun pointed at me. I didn't know what to do, I was still frozen from the sudden turn of events.

'Come, come I don't have all night. What did you plan to steal, hmm?' I took a few steps closer, walking just close enough he could see me without any lights on me.

'I want to see your face boy.' I chuckled despite my fear. He thought I was a boy? I slowly brought my hands up and took the hood off, staring the man in his eyes.

His eyes widened a little, but the kept the gun aimed at me.

'Why are you here, are you alone?' He demanded, looking around. I swallowed once more, his gun urging me to talk.

'I'm alone, I'm looking for a place to stay, nothing more. I'm sorry that I entered your property. I'll leave.' I wanted to turn again, but this time his voice stopped me instead of his gun.

'Well in that case, come in. I don't like woman who travel alone, makes me wonder if they are smart or not you know.' I heard him lower the gun before I dared watching him again. He now leaned on the gun, watching me curiously.

'Now come in, I don't bite, you know.' My eyes drifted towards the gun and he chuckled.

'I promise I won't shoot you, if you promise no harm either.' I nodded.

He smiled. I guessed he was about 60 or something, but he still looked quite good and in shape for a man that age.

I walked towards him, my backpack over my unhurt shoulder. I still wondered if this was a good idea when he kept smiling as I reached him.

'My my, you've had it rough. Got in a fight?' he asked when I was close enough for him to see my face. I placed my hood back on, not liking the way he stared at me.

'Maybe,' I answered. He nodded, smiling. He turned and opened the door of the house, letting me pass before he followed me.

'My name is Richard.' He said, waiting for me to tell him mine. I didn't. I was momentarily distracted by the beautiful décor of this house. It was like a fairytale. There was an big open kitchen, a fireplace with a small library in the back. There where big chairs before the fireplace. I turned to face Richard when I had done a complete 360, almost gasping.

'Beautiful isn't it?' he asked me, smiling once again. I nodded.

'This is the most beautiful house I have ever seen. Truly.' His smile got even bigger.

'Well, not all the credit is mine. It was an old shed you know, I fixed it with a friend of mine. A very good one.' I stared at this man. Was he fooling with me? Would he shoot me now I was inside his house.

'Do you have a name?' Richard asked me kindly. I licked my lips. Was I safe enough here to tell him that? Would he use it against me?

'Marley,' I said, watching his eyes watching mine with even more kindness. I wondered why though.

'Well Marley, for now, you are welcome here. You seem like you can use a good meal and a fine bed for tonight, am I right?' I stared at him, wondering what he wanted in return if I accepted. There was always something in return, I had learned that.

'That is very kind, but- I can't except. I- I have somewhere to be…' I stammered, not sure how to end my lie. The old man chuckled, turned to take some things from the kitchen counter. I didn't move, afraid to get the place dirty. I smelled he was making coffee. In the old fashioned way.

'Well, it is getting dark outside and I can't send you out there, knowing all the horrible things that can happen to a young woman alone.' His tone sounded final and my mouth fell open.

'I- you don't need to do that for me. I just- I remembered this house from a few years back and thought that I- I could-' I ended my sentence before I told him too much about myself. I didn't need for someone else to know my story, no one needed to know.

'That's interesting. I have been here for the last 3 years now. It's since then we rebuild the place.' I watched how he took 2 mugs from the closet and poured us some coffee. He slowly walked towards the thick wooden table and set them down.

'Come, join me Marley.'

I did, very slowly. I still felt like he would jump on me or hurt me any second now. He was being too kind, it just couldn't last.

'You wanted to seek shelter here, hmm?' he asked me when I took a small sip from the delicious hot substance. I had missed it more than I thought.

I nodded. He smiled knowingly, leaning back and sipping from his own mug.

'Well, I think you should stay, for a while. Just until you have gained some strength.' I watched him in shock and saw he watched my bruised cheek with a little too much interest for my taste. I wanted to tell him a quick lie, but he beat me to it.

'Let me guess, you fell? The stairs maybe?' he mocked me. I looked away, not sure what this man wanted from me. I decided to play along.

'Yeah-' He nodded and took another gulp from his mug, his expression a little less happy, like didn't wanted my lie. Too bad, I would not tell him the truth.

'Well, since you are so clumsy, I want you to stay here for a few days. And then you can go on your merry way. That's something right?' he asked me, his voice low, but still kind.

'I 'don't know…' I started, but the old man was stubborn.

'Tell me then, you didn't fell?' I swallowed.

'I did-' He grinned and nodded smiling to himself

'You can take the spare bed upstairs. I'll show you later, after you've eaten something.'

'I don't want to intrude, that was not my intention at all. I really hoped and thought this place would be empty.' Richard nodded.

'That's why you can stay, alright? It would break this old man's heart if you left tonight. I would lay awake with worry the rest of the week.' He tried the guilt trick on me. And even while I knew he was doing it, I was thankful he did. I needed a place to stay. Even if it was just for tonight.

'Thank you,' I murmured. Richard smiled and got up from his chair.

'So, what about a sandwich?' I nodded watching how he got to work.

'You seem very young,' he commented watching me for a second before he took some bread. I swallowed.

'I am 18,' I lied. His eyes seemed to look right through me. I sighed. 'Okay 17.'

He nodded.

'That's more what I thought. Well Marley, this old man likes company, even though I don't get that very often. So you would do me a pleasure by staying.' I smiled a small smile. Maybe some people were still nice and kind for no other reason than just being kind.

We ate in silence, until I finished my sandwich.

'Ready?' he asked me, taking my plate. I nodded.

'Good, follow me then.' Richard led me up a pair of stairs. There was a large hallway, but Richard stopped right in front of the first door.

'This is the guest room. You may use anything you find inside. There's a bathroom in there.' I nodded not sure how I could thank this man.

'Thank you, for everything. Are you sure you want me to stay. I mean I can-' His glare silenced me instantly.

'You are my guest. Accept it.' He winked at me and then turned to walk away, only to stop and turn back before he reached the stairs.

'I have only one rule in this house. A dear friend of mine lives here too. In this house we don't ask questions if people don't want to answer them. I take it you understand what I mean.' I quickly nodded. I wasn't too fond of answering question either. He smiled again.

'Good, then have a good night's rest. I see you in the morning.'

When I shut the door behind me I almost cried. Almost. The room was practically even more beautiful decorated then downstairs. Everything was made from white wood, with beige accents. I wondered through the room and quickly found the door towards the bathroom. I gasped when I saw myself in the mirror. I was a complete mess. That Richard even let me in! I would have shot myself. My hair was a tangled mess, my cheek bruised. I wore no makeup, so the dark spots under my eyes were clearly visible. I stared at myself for a few seconds, before I entered the shower and undressed. The hot water did wonders for my body. I noticed the large bruises on my side and legs. Not that it bothered me more than they did before. No one would even see them. I would not gain more. I promised myself.

Right after my shower, I brushed my teeth, combed an dried my hair the best I could and found a robe. I didn't bother searching more clothes for now. My back pack was on the bed, I would dress in the morning. I walked towards the bed and slowly crawled under the blankets watching the ceiling.

Had I entered a dream? Was Richard part of some complot, or was I truly safe here? How would I know? I yawned. I could always leave in the morning. He didn't seem like a guy who would stop me. Not if I really wanted to leave.

It felt like a coma. I had slept so deep I had forgotten where I was and for a second I panicked, before I remembered Richard and the shower, the beautiful house. I got up and found my underwear in the bathroom, before I pulled jeans and a sweater from my back pack. They just had to do for now. I washed my face and stared at my cheek for a few seconds. There was no way I could conceal it. Not that it mattered, Richard had already seen it. I swallowed, feeling angry at the person who had given me the imprint. I truly hated him.

I packed myself together and left the room to find Richard. I smelled something like eggs and bacon before I even entered the kitchen.

'Good morning Marley, have you slept well?' He asked, his voice as kind as I remembered from last night. I nodded.

'Thank you, again.' He smiled and pointed towards the table on the other side. I turned to do just that before I froze. There was already someone at the table. A very, very big man. I swallowed, not moving. Richard seemed to notice.

'Something wrong Marley?' I took a deep breath. The man at the table was very muscular, what was obvious because of his t-shirt that showed his arms. I had to keep myself from running.

'I- maybe I should leave. You have been too kind to me as it is already and-' At that moment the guy turned and I swear my heart stopped. The man was bold, with piercing grey eyes. A scar ran over his left eye all the way down to his chin. He looked like an absolute brute.

'No no, you agreed yesterday to stay for a little bit, remember. Come on now. You will eat.' He placed his hands on my shoulders and led me to the other side of the table so I faced the man. I was shaking.

'Morning.' His voice was deeper than any voice I had ever heard before. I just nodded in his direction.

I noticed how his eyes rested on my face, especially my bruised cheek before he looked me in the eye again.

'Marley this is my friend, the one who helped rebuild this place.' The man smiled. I licked my lips, nodding.

'Hello,' I forced myself to say. In my distressed state I did registered the man did not tell me his name, nor did Richard. That was strange. Breakfast was filled with silence, until Richard joined us and started talking about how the weather would turn on us tonight, bringing heavy rainfall and a thunderstorm.

'That means you have to stay at least another night Marley,' he urged. I took another small bite from my toast, not sure if that was what I wanted. I was not comfortable around men, not at all. Richard was one, but the guy before me scared me to death. I didn't wanted to stay here much longer.

'I- I don't know. I think I have to go-' I tried. Richard shook his head. But it was the guy before me that had all of my attention.

'You'd freeze to death or maybe get struck by lightning. Doesn't seem like the best way to go.' His voice was so unbelievably deep I shuddered on my seat. Why was he interfering?

'I- I can't stay.' Both men watched me now. One in concern, the other in disbelief.

'Why?' the man asked. I licked my lips, his eyes watching me closely. I watched from Richard towards the man, wondering how I would talk myself out of this one.