End of the Line

by Ottilie Weber

The little ones were sound asleep along with Jill. Cole was half asleep since he still didn’t trust Aaron to be alone with me by the fire. Since the night I ‘fell into a ditch,’ it was clear Cole blamed Aaron for what happened to me. My heart was racing as it felt the clock ticking.

  My eyes were focused on the dancing flames in front of me. The seasons had been changing around us, but the nights were still cold and made me miss my long pants. This would be my last night spent on the ground and yet I'd rather sleep on the dirt and rocks for the rest of my life than the bed I was promised.

  “There’s this one song I can remember my foster parents dancing to.” Aaron broke the silence after he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

  I peeked at him, attempting to figure out where he was taking the conversation. I hadn’t known Aaron was adopted. I had heard of a rumor that had circulated through school about him having foster parents, but I thought it was just high school gossip.

  “Every once in a while, they would slow dance to this one song by my mom’s garden…” His voice was getting quieter as he spoke.

  I leaned back against his chest, finding comfort as he spoke. His head was against mine. Aaron stood up slowly, pulling me along with him. I realized what he wanted and looped my arms around his neck while his encircled his around my waist. I rested my head against his shoulder. We swayed with his voice reaching my ears made and I smiled as I held back tears.

  His deep male voice whispered into my ear like a lullaby as I beamed.

  This was one of my favorite songs of all time. It was Everything I do I do it for you by Bryan Adams. The lyrics were sappy and yet everything every girl wanted to hear. My school always played it at the school dances and I never had anyone to dance with ‘til now.

  Aaron’s voice was dying down a bit as I planted my lips on his before he could continue more of the song. Aaron’s lips pressed harder, begging for more from me. One of Aaron’s hands rested on my lower back pressing me closer to him, to keep me there as my hands drove into his hair. Aaron’s tongue met mine only for a moment as I pulled away with grin. I sat on the ground glowing at his shocked face.

  “That was for earlier,” I sang with a giggle.

  Then it was his turn to smile as he started to chuckle. One of Aaron’s hands came up and ran through his hair as he laughed. Aaron dropped down to his knees. Aaron got closer to me and tilted my head gently up to capture my smiling lips with his. My mind started to scream at me. This had to end—this was going the opposite direction that I should be allowing them. Things were being taken much too far. I was supposed to be leaving soon not smooching Aaron.

  I shoved Aaron back on the ground, and he fell over with ease from surprise. Aaron started to grin seductively at me which made my heart run madly.

  “We have to end this before we go too far. There are several little kids here,” I ordered, suddenly nervous.

  Aaron’s eyes were deep and full of lust and never left mine.

  “So you pin me to the ground like this?” He raised an eyebrow. “Someone might think this would be the opposite step. Some might even consider this be taking things farther.”

  I knew he was right. I was about to get up when he flipped the both of us over so he was the one on top leaving me pinned to the ground. Again! This is the second time he had me pinned below him!

  “And this isn’t any different?” I asked. A giggle escaped. I cursed that giggle.

  Aaron was smirking down at me then bent down to press his lips to mine. Just to come up so his lips would move against mine as he spoke.

  “Only difference being I have no dirty intentions like you.”

  I rolled my eyes at him as he slid next to me, starting to fall asleep. I crawled into his arms as I closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep as he began to fall into a deep slumber for real. It was a bit ‘til I thought he could possibly be asleep.

  “Aaron… Aaron?” I whispered, testing if he was asleep or not.

  Aaron didn’t even stir, so I tried getting up. Just as I moved, he turned a little in his sleep to where I had been, seeking the warmth that was there a moment ago. My eyes stung. I glanced at little Sean near the twins and Paige. I crept over to Sean and kissed his forehead as I headed off into the night with my arms crossed firmly over my chest, bitting down on my lips. I trudged through the night, trying to make as little noise as possible. We hadn’t traveled too far from where Dean Manson was located, so I was able to find my way easily. On my march there, I aimed to stay emotionless and not think of the people I had just left behind. I never looked back, but my eyes were moist.

  My insides died with each step I took, drawing the house nearer. I wasn’t going to let that man see my tears. I needed to be able to keep a little of my pride. I quickened my pace, noticing the sun would rise soon. I was running for dear life to get to that door before the sun did. I was sprinting to my end and I knew it. I banged on the door and pulled my arms more into the sweatshirt to watch the horizon of the sun extending. I became anxious, sensing that I would be caught with the enemy. I whirled back to the door as it swung open to a smirking Dean Manson.

  “Ah yes, hello, Lauren. It’s nice of you to join us. Now do come in.” Manson stepped aside for me to come in.

  I turned to look at him. Something hard came crashing to my head as the world around me went black.