Utopia #Wattys2016 (slow updates)

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Cecelia's Perspective

I woke up in a dreary mess, hazed and confused. I was lucky not to kick the bucket and was able to wake up after a long lifeless sleep that held me captive, like sleeping beauty who was lucky to have a prince who fought for her freedom...from this persuasive voice calling your name to follow, for you to only get deceived and trapped in the dark. If you fall for it you would never be awaken again. Your love ones would lose you to this persuasive voice that manipulated the outcome. Yet I fought it, just to be by Mitch's side and to not leave him all alone. I knew he had already gone through so much. I didn't want to add to the rest, to not just be a fading memory...

As my eyes opened to a night full of stars that seemed to be my ancestors cheering me on to push through in this difficult life whimpers of a boy who needed love filled my ears. Everything seemed unreal as the colors seem to smooth together like a painting and then focus for a few seconds before the artist adjusted the scenery again. Still with a aching throb taking place in my head I lifted myself from a soft patch of grass into a sitting position. Giving myself to adjust from the wave of nausea that knocked me off my feet I looked around. A cold breeze sent goosebumps across my bare skin. My clothes seemed dry, but still freezing cold.

Finally finding my center of gravity I was able to look around to find Mitch in a dire situation. My breath caught as an image of a torn little boy crying flashed my mind. I crawled toward his balled up figure until I heard murmurs of what must be past memories.

"I'm not a monster. I'm not- I'm a monster. I'm a monster. Annabelle. I let her die. I killed her. Mom left me...I cannot- love..." He kept murmuring the same thing and dread started to climb its way across my body.

I won't pry until he's ready himself to tell me.

Deciding that I brought him into my embrace, placing his head onto my chest as I wrapped my arms around his figure. I knew he needed someone now. He's taken care of me and now I needed to do my part. His past was haunting him and all I could was rub circles into his back and repeat the numb, over-used sentence of 'It's going to be okay' even though we know it wouldn't be. Tears slid down my face as I saw Mitch vulnerable, and the total opposite of what his mask allowed everyone to see.

I'll love every part of him, his past and all.

Lowering my lips to his head I placed a delicate kiss like a butterfly landing. Mitch with silent tears looked up with his wide swollen eyes.

"Have you come from heaven to save me, angel?" He whispered to me which I offered a smile before he snuggled his face into the crook of my neck and hugged me, taking my breath away.

"Not too tight, buddy-can't bre-athe."

He loosened his hold on me and I felt all his weight lean against me. Soft snores reached my ears and a smile blessed my lips. I sat there holding him for awhile as the comfort of body heat embraced us. I frown pulled my features together as I probed.

"I'm not a monster. I'm not- I'm a monster. I'm a monster. Annabelle. I let her die. I killed her. Mom left me...I cannot- love..."

Why was he talking about his niece?  I push the thought away for it would only make me more confused.

Sadness seeped on the edge of my conscious as I cradled him and then laid him down in what looked like a little hut he made. A sad smile remained on my features as I laid next to him in his hut that had little space. Our bodies touched and it felt stuffy. My breath came in short exhales and inhales. I turned my head to the side and my eyes widened at the little space between our faces. Mitch had turned his head toward me and if I just moved a few inches I could kiss him. I admired his features that he only had when he slept. He looked at peace and vulnerable, as if there weren't people out there looking for him. He didn't look on edge like he always was, but you could see the lack of sleep by the bags that were starting to form. He looked like any normal carefree teenager with normal problems, but the thing was it was the total opposite. Perhaps in another life he'd be one. I'm just grateful I met him along this ruthless journey.