Fate's Path

I always ask the question composed of one word: “Why?”

I never get an answer though. At least never a genuine one. I get a multitude of answers. Why aren’t wishes fishes? Most say ‘because if they were, the whole world would be an ocean’. I once heard someone say 'because I hate fish and they smell bad'. My answer is because ‘we would all drown’. The question I have been thinking about for the passed two hours, while I lay on this bed facing the wall, is ‘Why must I choose?’. Like most “Why” questions, there are a multitude of answers. The question that replaced my vision was one I needed to hear. I wanted to feel. I needed to feel. My true feelings could be composed into two words: “Why Chris?” I let out a sigh of relief. I could feel and hear my pain. I need to get to Chris. I love him, and I still need him.

“To get to you.” Connor’s voice confirmed my fear. Me. Whoever has Chris wanted me. They went through the trouble of carving into my friend, and sending me a message. They took Chris. My eyes widened. They weren’t giving me a choice in the note. They were telling me to go to them in exchange for Chris. I don’t have a choice.

I listen closely as Connor crosses the room. His soft breathing was comforting. The bed shifted under his weight and a part of me expected him to lay down and start arguing on my behalf. Instead, I felt his arms around me, pulling me into the warmth of his body. “It’s all my fault.” Admitting it was harder and way more pain filled than I expected it to be.

“You’re right. It is.” His response makes me turn in his hold and shoot him a glare.

“Thanks. That makes me feel so much better!” I growl making him flinch.

He tucked a strand of black hair behind my ear. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just mean because you are so awesome!” I know he was only trying to make light of the situation but I frowned at him. “I’m sorry, okay? It’s not your fault. It’s your mother’s fault. You are only trying to fix the problem that she made and get your brother back.”

I let out a deep sigh. “I know, I know.” We both are quiet until I ask him a question that makes my heart quicken. “Will you ever leave me?”

He doesn’t even think before answering with a question. “Are you afraid?”

I blink in confusion. I want to say no, maybe I will sound stronger. Something tells me that isn’t what he wants to hear. “Yes. But I don’t want to be. I want to be brave. I don’t want to be scared, if I am how will I get Chris back?”

I hear him chuckle, his body shaking slightly with the sound. I want to smack him and ask what is the hell could be so funny, but there is no humor behind the laugh. There is concern, worry, love. “Piper, you have to be afraid to find it in you to be brave. I love you, Kiera loves you, Christopher loves you. We all love you. We have all told you that. None of us will shame you for being scared.” My muscles tense for a moment when I notice. He said Christopher, not Chris. He always calls him Chris.

“Demon, I can tell Connor will always be there for me. Does that mean you will too?” I can hear the hopefulness and longing in my voice but I don’t care. I want him to hear the emotion, to know I really do care about him.

Demon seemed surprised I noticed the change but is soon grinning and pressing his lips softly against my hair. “I will never leave you. If the world shall end it better take us both because I couldn’t live without you, Princess.” My heart fluttered as his arms tightened around my waist. He really isn’t a bad guy. My heart raced and my face burned as I realized. If that was him speaking, that means- he loves me!

I think about something else. “So, you really do love me, Chris, and Kiera?” He opens his mouth to answer but a girly shriek interrupts.

“You called!” Weight like a sack of potatoes lands between us. My scream is lost in giggles. Demon and I break apart to engage in tickling Kiera. One look at his eyes confirms it’s still him. We are only missing one thing in this moment. If we had Chris, staying like this would be perfect.

When the laughter dies down I look at my friends with a serious expression, full of adoration and determination. “Let’s get our friend.”