It was that day Liam learned of Rory's biggest fear. He didn't know that she is terrified of dark shadows. And as he tried to find a way inside her bedroom, he was welcomed with a BB gun pointed right at his eye.
Since their properties are very close to the woods and since there are farm animals, they'd often get visited by wild animals. Sometimes wild hogs enter their properties in groups to cause damage. So they always had weapons handy.
But since they were underage, they weren't allowed to have "real" guns then. They were taught to use BB guns for defense though. And Rory… she is a pretty good shot. Derick taught her and she loved shooting. There was once an attack of wild boar on their property. They were of legal age to carry then. Rory got a pretty good shot of a wild hog. His grandmother was very pleased and hailed her as a hero. They then ate that pig.
He, who was expecting to have his first kiss before he dies, got terrified. He surely didn't want to die with a BB lodged in his eye. He was so terrified, that he couldn't even shout.
But thankfully, she recognized him and let him inside through the window. The first thing she did was punch his arms for scaring her. But he was the one who got terrified! He was the one who almost died!
He started to laugh, but she covered his mouth with her hands. 'Don't shout! Grandma would wake up…' she whispered.
He still remembered that pleasant scent… She still uses the same hand cream.
He was excited to be inside her room. Although he knew her for many years then, he had never entered her room before. She frequented his home often and he rarely visited her. This is the first girl's bedroom he had ever entered.
He was pleased although he was sure that he won't be able to enter her room again.
He wanted to die, after all! He wanted to make good use of this chance and looked around.
He was not that surprised to learn that she is not very tidy. Her room was clean, but it was cluttered with stuff lying around. He learned that she likes to fill her place with stuff.
She was wearing short shorts and a loose T-shirt. He was unsure if she was wearing any underwear. It was hard for him to focus on her face and his thoughts went to a lot of scenarios.
Scenarios where he is on top of her or where she is kneeling in front of him to pleasure him.
But her soft voice pulled him to reality. He cannot hurt her in any way. At least now, he could be close with her because she is thinking of him as a friend. If he crosses this line, he might lose her forever.
He didn't want that to happen.
He didn't want to tell her that he is planning on dying. He told her that he is planning on running away. He was a little displeased that he won't get his kiss from her. She is awake and he didn't have the guts to talk to her about his feelings.
He was surprised when she held his hands with both of her hands and led him to the bed. Asking him to sit, she sat in front of him, still holding his hands. He still remembered that sweet aroma that entered his senses when he sat there. Even her sheets and duvet were soft.
But her hands were softer.
'What happened, Fizzy?' she asked, her eyes filled with concern. 'Why do you want to leave? Where are you planning on going?'
He couldn't meet her eyes and he bowed his head. He was lying and he didn't want to be caught by her.
He didn't realize that his hands were shaking until he saw his trembling fingers. She held his hands tightly and he let her. Her hands were warm and he thought that it would be better if he could stay like this forever.
He didn't know how much time had passed. But he stayed silent. He started to feel warm. His throat was heavy as he remembered the words that were exchanged between his father and him.
He tried to get his hand out of her grip. He should leave this world. There is nothing left for him in this place.
But she held his hand closer.
'Don't leave. Stay here, Fizzy.'
Her gentle voice was soft. He didn't know why, but tears started to fall from his eyes. He didn't even bother to feel embarrassed. He remembered resting his head on something very soft though. And her scent enveloped him as her hand gently patted his back.
'I'll hide you until you feel like returning. Don't worry…' she said, her eyes filled to the brim with love.
He couldn't refuse her. After crying, he was relieved a bit. He was still mad at his father and didn't want to return home, but he didn't want to die anymore. He didn't want to be in a world where Rory isn't.
He took up on her offer. She hid him in her room, sneaked him food and she even got some change of clothes from his house. When he heard that his family was worried about him from Rory, he was happy. He thought they deserved it.
But Rory was not. She was sad. She said she couldn't bear to see their faces. She felt guilty for not telling them the truth. She tried to convince him to return. But he didn't care. He shared her food and slept under her bed. He used her bathroom and bath products. He watched her sleep.
He was living his best life.
A week passed and his family filed a missing person complaint and from then on, the situation got worse. On the weekend, the entire town joined hands and conducted a search party in the woods.
Rory was very stressed those days. Everyone thought that she might have some idea where he went. They both were attached to the hips after all. They were sure that she knew something. But lying took a toll on her.
He could see it but he didn't want to leave yet. He just wanted to stay by her side a lot longer.
She wanted to tell the truth, but he was liking this development. He threatened to leave elsewhere if she is planning on telling the truth. And she complied with his threats.
And then the terrible thing happened…