Chapter 2

I woke up to the blinding rays of the first light of day. I had slept in that very corner. My tears dried on my face. I got up hesitantly afraid that he might still be here. My face swollen and battered. I checked all the rooms he wasn't here. I quickly ran to the lake. I faced myself in the reflective waters and I couldn't recognise the person staring back at me. A person who allowed herself to stay and be subjected to such suffering. I splashed some water on my face and got up.

I can't continue like this.

I thought to myself. Encouraging myself to run away from him for the thousandth time.

"I cannot stay there any longer"

I said out loud knowing full well that my words were just that words.

I began walking back to my house as I did I contemplated ways in which to escape with out his knowledge and where I would even go.

He's the only family I have

Again I thought to myself considering my limited options. As I neared the house I saw a figure standing outside but I was too far to make out who it was. I ran closer and saw it was a man dressed in a black raw hide trench coat. It was probably the traveller. I had forgotten I agreed to show him around the village in all the commotion.

I ran towards him and looked down hoping he would not notice the black eye I had gotten from my father.

"Hello there beautiful."

He said and I blushed slightly, still looking down. His hand gently lifted my chin up to face him and I don't know what happened I couldn't will myself to refuse.

"What happened here?"

He said in a low voice gently observing my face.

"I-I...um..I fell"

I lied in response to his question not wanting him to know what had actually transpired.

He looked at me deep in my eyes as if he were piercing into my soul and then what he said next shocked me.

"You're lying."

How did he?

I thought to myself as I raised one eyebrow.

"How can you possibly know if I am lying or not?"

He simply shrugged and said in response.

"I've lived a very long time and it's easy to tell when one is lying,"

My eyebrow still raised as his response left me with more questions than answers. He seemed to be just about the same age as me so exactly how old could he be.

"How old are you?"

The words poured out of my mouth by accident and I quickly covered my mouth.

He smiled.

"Old enough to know when someone's life is threatened by who they live with."

I was astonished that he got all that from my earlier statement.

"How did you--"

I said as he interrupted me midsentence. His blue eyes glistening and an unreadable expression on his face.

"I heard you scream last night."

He confessed and then continued to say .

"Why do you continue to stay with him?"

I opened my mouth but failed to come up with a good enough answer. At the thought of the issue my tears felt as if they might start streaming so I blinked them back as best I could looking down so as to avoid being seen.

Pov: Damien

I saw her mouth open as if she was about to blurt out some ridiculous excuse. Then her emerald green eyes began to flutter as if she was holding back her tears. I quickly pulled her into a hug my chin on top of her head then whispered underneath my breath.

"It's okay. Let it out."

She began trembling as her tears flooded her eyes.

This bastard deserves to pay

I thought to myself as Emilia cried in my arms. When she finally stopped she looked up at me.

"I cannot leave him. He's the only family I have."

I looked down at her red and puffy eyes and said.

"Emilia you don't deserve to be treated as such. If he ever lays a hand on you again come to me. I will protect you."

I told her and she nodded then pulled out of my hug. She wiped the remaining tears from her eyes using her arm. Then the corners of her lips went upward slightly a small smile appeared on her face.

"You have a beautiful smile."

I complimented her and the smile only grew wider. Her cheeks flushed with pink.

"I believe I owe you a tour my good sir."

She said now having been cheered up. I simply smiled as I let her lead the way.

I was completely mesmerized by her. She was so beautiful and from the looks of it smart as well. Her long curly brown hair. She had an angelic face. Maybe that's what drew me to her.

No it's more than that.

Am I falling in love?

I asked myself mentally then shook my head in response while following behind Emilia not having heard a single word she had said since we left her home. The she waved her hand infront of my face

"Hello. Damien?"

She said

"Huh? Sorry I was deep in thought." I responded as I snapped out of my trance.

"So as I was saying this is the butchery, that's the village physicians place. That's where the stone mason works. Almost forgot the bakery over here and the blacksmiths workshop and of course even though you know this place the well."

She said as she took in a large breath of air as if she had not been breathing this entire time.

"Wow seems this village is quite rather small but quaint. I happen to know of a place in this village. A small majestic piece of nature."

I told her seeing if she knew which place I meant.

Her eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"I take it from your look you do not know the place I speak of. Do you mind if I show you?"

I said as I extended my hand to her a charming smile plastered on my face and she didn't even hesitate she took my hand and I led her into the dense forest to a beautiful waterfall on the side of a small cliff.

"Good Lord. This place is beautiful."

She said as her face lit up in joy.

"How about we go for a quick dip in the water?"

I said with a smirk. She chuckled then nodded no.

"I have a lot of work to get done. I cannot even if I wanted to."

"What if I were drowning?" I said to her and her facial expression showed confusion

"But you're not in water,"

She stated. Then I jumped. Once in the water I began pretending as if I couldn't swim she instantly jumped in after me.

"I knew I could get you wet," I said to her with a grin

Her face serious and a small smile tugged at her lips then she let out a laugh.

It was then. That moment I saw her laugh. Completely oblivious of the out side world. It became clear.

I'm in love with this girl.

Question was did she feel the same about me.