Love Lengths

Chapter Seventeen

Maggie

I couldn't stay with him, I had to get out. I grabbed my keys and bolted to the car, clambering in whilst grunting as the pain radiated from my ribs; I couldn't stop, I needed to get away before I let him get to me.

There was a small dirt road that I used to follow with my Nanna when we would go to the woods to collect her erbs for the medicines and 'potions' she would make for her clients. 

I park the car and climb out with a wince, heading to the stream in the middle of the woods; there's a log there that's worn on the top from how often and long we would sit together. We would walk for hours, in silence mostly, just enjoying the company. I reach the log and, instead of sitting down I slump to my knees on the floor, head in my hands and cry, again. 

Looking up into the sky I breathe in as deep as I can and screech into the clouds, determined to make Her hear me; "How could you do this to me?" I speak quietly next, "Why would you give me this gift, these powers, and then do nothing to save me from the trauma that has fallen to me? How am I supposed to go on now? Why would you send me such a beautiful, kind-hearted, loving and strong mate when I can't have him? How could I do that to him? I don't know how to go on from here." I cried into my hands and sobbed, shaking violently with a wind that carried a voice.

'I would not have sent you here, my child, if I did not think you could handle all that life threw at you. I would not have given you your gift sweet girl if you could not manage it and live a fruitful life, helping my children along your way.' the air was beautiful, the words danced on the wind and fell on my ears to soothe.

"What am I supposed to do for Kyle now? I will have to leave him behind, my home, my life." the sobs were heavier than before, my chest shook with each jagged breath.

'Don't be so sure my child, he will be with you, go to him.' and just as quickly as the chill had come, it was gone and I could hear another voice in the distance, crying out for me; it was Kyle, shouting for me and I ran, without pause for thought, in the direction of his voice.

My head swam, my bones ached and my chest became tight; I could see him in the distance, around 200 feet in front of me; there was no way I would be able to reach him. My throat began to close and I couldn't breathe or move any further.

Kyle was there, then, in a matter of seconds, in front of me where I had collapsed on the floor; he picked me up and cradled me to his chest, kissing the top of my head and whispering calming noises into my ear as I passed out.  

                                                                                      * * *

He carried me to the car, driven me back to his place and put me in bed. I had o fight against getting the doctor out again and agreed to meet in the middle and talk to him on the phone; he was furious that I had done too much, too soon. I'm certain I heard Kyle laugh as he told me off. I reassured him that I would take it easy and head his warning. 

I must have fallen asleep then; waking 2 hours later at 7pm. I heard voices, Kyle and another male, downstairs talking calmly. It wasn't until I made my way to the door, opening it slightly, that I heard their voices rise, they were yelling and curing at each other. 

I decided to wait it out upstairs, grabbing my iPod and my weathered copy of my school book and sitting on the bed, as comfortably as possible, settling down to finish the last chapter in preparation for the test I had already missed; I wanted to make sure I was ready if I was asked to retake it later on. 

As I finished the book I took an ear plug out and listened, nothing. It was until I put the iPod away that I heard a small noise, crying? I leapt off of the bed, cursing at myself as my bones creaked and groaned, my muscles ached all over, and I cringed into myself as I tried not to cry out. I creep back to the door and hear Kyle weeping in desperation, begging for help from his friend and I start to head downstairs, terrified that I am the cause of his upset.