Page 9 of His Ruin
“I won’t,” she nods quickly before following behind me.
I turn back to the creek, irritated with myself for caring whether she listens or not. She isn’t my responsibility.
I use the toe of my boot to prod the wet ground, pushing aside the dense soil before I spot something sharp and white. Recognition pings in me as I crouch down and unearth the rodent bone. It’s covered in mud, but I don’t mind as I shove it under the stream to clean it.
“Does it look okay?” Melody asks softly into my ear, and my head swivels to her. She’s standing so close our noses almost brush, and she pulls back at my scowl.
“Does what look okay?” I mutter as I return to my cleaning.
“The bone…” she trails meekly. “You seem calmer out here.”
I stop, my eyes staring unseeing at the rush of water before me. My skin prickles unpleasantly before I shoot up from my spot and leave her behind.
She follows.
Of course she does.
“You’re not my shadow,” I bite harshly over my shoulder.
“I want to help,” she says as she climbs over a rock. Her foot slips, and I feel my heart bottom out before she regains her composure and smiles. “Sorry—”
“Get down from there!” I shout, my chest constricting with panic. Heat floods my face, and my voice trembles with fear. I don’t know what’s come over me, but the thought of her falling into the water terrifies me.
She scrambles down, looking sheepish. “I said I was sorry—”
“Sorrycan’t save you from drowning, Melody.” I bite.
Her bottom lip wobbles, and her eyes become glassy. It’s an instant reaction—one that makes me blanch. I’ve never been good with tears, but seeing this girl’s face twist into something other than a smile has a pile of rocks settling in my stomach. I don’t like it.
“I’m sorry,” I say, softening my tone. “I didn’t mean to raise my voice at you.”
She hiccups, rubbing the hem of her shirt between her fingers. She won’t meet my eyes. “It’s just…this is all so scary. I want someone to talk to…”
I haven’t been making things easy for her. Something sharp and heavy pangs in my chest, making my teeth grit.
I drag a hand down my face, fully turning to face her. “Hey,” I say, quieter—awkward. She appears entirely too fragile with the inward curl of her shoulders. “Look at me.”
She hesitates, but finally tilts her chin up. Her eyes are rimmed red, but she still has that timidness swirling in her irises. She’s bracing herself for another verbal blow, and it makes my irritation melt away.
I don’t know what this emotion is, but it’s bitter and painful. It makes my fist tighten at my side as I take a breath and steady my voice. “I’m not good at this…” I shake my head before resting it back against my shoulders. “Talking. Comforting. It isn’t easy for me…”
She sniffles, using a thin finger to swipe under her eye.
“It doesn’t mean I don’t care,” I add. “Just now, youscaredme. I thought you were going to get swept away by the water.”
Her shoulders relax a fraction, the tension loosening as she takes a few steps forward. She stands close to me, tilting her chin up to meet my gaze. The evening sunlight slants across her eyes, making them appear golden and warm. I’ve never noticed the softness of her features untilnow…
“I don’t need you to be perfect,” she whispers between us. Her small hand takes mine, wrapping around my fingers in an embrace that makes my brows draw. “I just…don’t want to be alone anymore.”
I swallow, my throat tightening. I don’t know what to make of my own emotions towards this girl, but seeing the acceptance and sadness in her eyes is like a knife to the gut. She expects me to pull away, to shut her out, and that makes something tick like a bomb inside of me. I don’t like upsetting her.
I squeeze her hand tightly. “You’re not alone.”
She peers up at me through her lashes. “I’m sorry for scaring you.”
My heart thumps painfully. “It’s okay. I promise not to fuss at you again.”
She gives a watery chuckle, the sound twinkling. “Even if you do, I know it’s because you care.”
