Chapter 74
Lucinda's POV
I think there's something wrong with my body. I never really thought a day like this would come but look at me, trembling from head to toe while trying not to have a panic attack.
I place my hand on my leg to stop it from bouncing, it does, but then my hands start trembling and suddenly I'm fighting back tears but I will not cry.
It's been a little over twenty years now, I should be over it but there's this nagging voice in the back of my head that says I shouldn't. I'm still that same little girl who witnessed her mom's murder and got sold.
A warm hand clasps around my trembling one.
Oh. I forgot that Donny was here. He didn't say anything, just held my hand and gave it a little squeeze which calmed me a little. I returned the squeeze. He briefly took his eyes off the road and looked at me before looking back.
After I got that call from Green Attorneys I felt my world crumble but then again... Was I ever actually fine? After frantically packing an overnight bag I met Donny in my driveway, then a quick stop to his house to grab a few things and we were off to Eversden.
Ever since we left we've been sitting in silence. The tension was thick and I could feel his curiosity just radiating off of him. Not being able to take it anymore I asked.
"Why aren't you asking me anything?"
"You'll tell me when you're ready."
Simple and straightforward.
I slumped down in my seat and sighed. I'm grateful towards the fact that he didn't ask but why would he voluntarily choose to go with me? I know he's a busy person with things to do and this mess in probably going to take me two to three days maximum.
I look at him again and bite my lip to sort of stop myself but then I just end up asking.
"Why did you come with me?"
He looked at me briefly from the corner of his eye. His nose twitched slightly and he opened his mouth and closed it again, like he was thinking of saying something then kept quiet and then he replied.
"You didn't seem to be in the right state of mind to be driving so I offered my services"
"But you didn't have to. I know you're busy and we ca-"
"Butterfly!"
He interrupted me during my rant. The moment he called me by my nickname I was compelled to keep quiet.
"I'm not busy- I'll never be busy enough not to be there for you okay. I want to be here."
I nodded and slumped back in my seat. His hand was still firmly clasped around my own. But the way he was holding it- like I was going to disappear any second. The irony of the situation was... I just might.
~
By the time we made it into Eversden it was midnight. My mind was practically swarming the moment I stepped into this familiar-unfamiliar town. Considering I've only been here for the earliest memories of my life, I remember quite a bit of it.
Eversden had always been a small town, the kind where everyone knew everyone's businesses. Even through the darkness I could see that the town hadn't changed at all. Maybe a couple of new buildings but nothing much. The old playground next to the church was still there, - just a little cleaner than I remembered and alive? - the old bank - which looked like it still operated - Lacy's Supermarket and the new edition just happened to be Green Attonerys.
It shone brightly in the middle of town like a tourist attraction, basically taunting me. The building was practically saying 'Yeah, I fucked up your life at the most inconvenient time'. I glared at it until it was out of my sight. By the time I turned back around I noticed we had stopped.
In front of me a bright sign that shone Joel's Inn flashed at my frowning face. Donavan took my face in his palms and and smoothed down the corners of my lips. His fingers moving dangerously close to actually touching them. My face visibly relaxed under his touch and he smiled just a little bit.
"Don't frown, it'll give you wrinkles."
I snorted and he chuckled. I never took him as the type to even care about wrinkles.
"I'm serious. It's pretty late right now so how about we get some rooms and rest up for tonight."
I nodded with my head still in his hands and he placed a light kiss on my forehead and let go. He opened his door and stepped out and I followed him. We grabbed our bags from the car and headed inside. The interior of the Joel's Inn had a very rustic homey vibe to it. Like stepping into a cabin in the woods but slightly modern.
The - weirdly chirpy at midnight - reception welcomed us with a smile opposed to our - well my - sombre mood.
"Welcome to Joel's Inn! My name is Avia, how may I help you two?"
Seeing that I was in no mood to speak Donny took the liberty of talking to this high pitched lady.
"Hello, can I get two rooms please"
My heart sank at his request but I shoved it to the side. Who was I to even think about that when my life was practically falling apart.
After getting our keys we headed up the stairs to the second floor where we walked to our rooms in complete silence. Not that we had nothing to talk about, I just didn't want to talk.
He unlocked my door for me and placed my bag on my bed before saying goodnight and walked out. Having no energy to change whatsoever I laid down on the bed and tried to sleep but just ended up staring at the ceiling.
After a few minutes of not being able to sleep there was a knock on my door. I scrunched my face in confusion, because who the hell would be knocking on my door at this hour, and got up to check who it was.
Upon opening the door I was met with emptiness. I peaked my head out the door and checked the hall but was met with the quiet wind of the night. Tugging my door a heard a slight rustle sound behind the door.
On the door handle was a plastic bag of what looked like food. I brought it inside and placed it on the coffee table. A note had been placed inside it that read.
'Butterfly
I understand today may be a tough day for you but that doesn't mean you should skip dinner. Eat up and have a goodnights rest and if you can't sleep then I'm just next door.
-D'
I held the note close to my heart. With a smile on my face I dug into the food before I ended up passing out on the couch.
©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©
HEY G. R'S
HOPE Y'ALL ENJOYED AND YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD RO THE NEXT CHAPTER. GOING FORWARD THINGS ARE GOING TO GET SPICY SO STAY TUNED.
OH!
AND THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE MORE CLIFFHANGERS SO BEWARE!
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