“Conner hurry up will you.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea Sasha. Your dad will be furious if he finds out we took the limo for a joy ride.”

“Stop worrying so much Conner. He will never find out. Right now he is busy yapping it up with the towns people. By the time he is able to break free of their whinning, we will be safely back in the driveway, and no one will be the wiser.” I boredly replied, skipping happily over to the driver’s seat as I twirled the golden keys around my thin pale fingers.

“What about the guards. Or better yet your brother. That boy is like a bloodhound.” Sighing in exasperation I turned to him one hand resting lightly on the door handle, while the other I placed firmly on my hips. I stared at him my frustration and impatience written all over my face.

“Will you stop worrying. Fredrick is away with his girlfriend Sapphire. He won’t be back until late. Something about it being their one year anniversary or something boring like that. As for the guards I shook them off up at the palace gardens. I told them I wanted to play hide and seek and darted away before they could respond. They are most likely still scouring the castle searching for me. Now will you just get in already.” On that note I yanked open the sleek black door and leaped into the driver’s seat. Excitement and anticipation covering my face. Seeing Conner opening his mouth as if to complain, I slammed the door shut rolling my eyes in esasperation. He could be such a buzz kill sometimes. I watched impatiently as Conner with a defeated and nervous look on his face reticently got into the passenger seat and buckled up. Glancing over at me he stared expectantly, his eyes flickering from the gray seat belt hanging loosely by myside to my face.

“Don’t give me that look Conner. It’s not like we are going very far. Seat belts are itchy and uncomftable.” I sighed glancing over at him. I tried to ignore his insistent gaze burning into the side of my head but he just was not letting up.

“I’ll be fine Conner.” I repeated through clenched teeth. Not wanting to feel his disapproving gaze, that always made me feel like the lowest slime ball in the kingdom, I quickly turned the key in the ignition and slammed on the gas pedal. I smiled as the desired effect came to pass. Conner clutching at the arm rests gritted his teeth in fear as he was thrown back against the seat. His hazel eyes wide in terror. Reaching up I lightly pressed the little black button above my head signaling to the guard on duty to open up the gate.

“SLOW DOWN SPEED DEMON. YOU ARE GOING TO DRIVE US TO OUR GRAVE. I FOR ONE WOULD LIKE TO LIVE TO SEE MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF HIGHSCHOOL.” Conner Screamed as the speed climbed to 100 miles per hour. Rolling my eyes I slowed to a more reasonable speed, before turning my head slightly to face him, while keeping one eye on the road.

“Conner I…”

“LOOK OUT!” I barely had time to react as an elk came barreling into our path. Screaming I tugged hard on the wheel barely missing it by an inch, as we went rocketing into the barrier overlooking a cliff on the side of the road. I felt my heart freeze as the barrier broke under our weight and sent us cascading over the edge. My head crashed against the ceiling as I went flying. Tweety birds surrounding my vision as a loud crack rent the air. Alerting me to my now shattered ankle. I screamed in pain trying in vain to stop my self being thrown once more across the front seats of the limo. I whimpered feebly as my back collided with the glass barrier separating the front from the main seating of the limo. I twitched in agony at the glass now imbedded in my back as I continued to be thrown too and thow as we cascaded down the cliff. I would have flown out the window into the frigid air beyond too, if we had not hit the lake below at the exact moment I collided with the window. I whimpered in relief as the impact of hitting the water finally stopped my journey across the limo. Only problem now. We were still sinking to the bottom of the lake with no way out.

The sound of a groan beside me snapped me from my agony filled terror. Forcing my eyes open as blood poured from my forehead, I glazed tiredly over at Conner. I sighed in relief as I saw that the seatbeat he had wisely worn, kept him from most of his injuries. Not counting the shallow cuts and bruises littering his body. I winced as I realized there was no way he would let me live this down. He was right seat belts really do save lives. Well that is if we even manage to escape from this coffin before the water buries us alive.

If only I had listened to him. I highly doubted from the unbearable pain radiating all throughout my bones, that I would survive this. Even if we managed to escape. At least if I don’t survive Conner will. The last thing I saw before the darkness swallowed me into a never ending abyss, was Conner forcing his seatbelt off of him and hauling me up under the arms. I screamed as his hands brushed against my broken ribs before I was captured by sweet nothingness. My world turned black.

                                                                 ***

Opening my eyes I sighed as my mind returned from my memories and gazed up at the overhanging trees above me. Had it really been 6 years since Conner and I crashed the limo into the river. It seemed like only yesterday yet here I was a 21 year old woman still struggling to cope with the betrayal of Aaron. Sitting up and swinging my legs off the little white bench I lay on, I gazed down at the flowers surrounding me trying once more to push away the betrayal still radiating from my broken heart.

You would think I would be over this by now. Especially since it’s been 2 months since I was kidnapped by my exfiance. Yet no matter how much I may want to, I can’t seem to let go of  what could have been. I can’t keep my mind from retracing over those past wonderful 5 years we spent together before he proposed. How could I have missed him being so jealous. How could I have ignored all those little red flags littering our relationship over the past 5 years.  Why can’t I just move on.

I sighed again twirling the little heart shaped necklace slung across my neck. Maybe if I had only been a better girlfriend and paid more attention to Aaron he never would have lost his mind. Maybe I deserved what he did. I know that’s stupid to think. I know it’s not my fault but what if it is. If I hadn’t gone to the circus with Conner. If I hadn’t Ignored his concerns and just been a better girlfriend maybe…

I was pulled from my self destructive thoughts at the snap of a tree branch to the left of me. Glancing over I felt my heart freeze as I saw Conner strolling toward me, hands in his pockets, a hopeful smile upon his face. I could feel tears of shame welling up in my eyes as I swiftly turned away from him. Sighing he quietly sat down beside me. Neither one of us saying a word. Tentatively I cautiously glanced over at him beneath my long lashes as he sat there legs crossed in front of him, hands clasped in his lap. He sat there calmly gazing at a butterfly flittering along the edge of the flower petals as he waited for me to make the first move. Sensing my gaze, his eyes met mine as he offered me a small smile his eyes filled with nothing but love. Blushing I swiftly turned away embarrassed at being caught staring.

I could hear him chuckling beside me at my feeble attempt to avoid him before I heard him shifting beside me. I stiffened as I felt his strong work callused hands under my chin as he gently turned my face toward him. He grinned as once more our eyes connected.

“There that’s better. There’s the beautiful blue eyes of my best friend. I was starting to think I would never see them again.” He grined. His eyes twinkling happily at the blush creeping over my face.

“Sasha. I know you are hurting, but please stop avoiding me. Ever since that night it’s like we are playing a game of cat and mouse. I haven’t seen you in 2 months. At first I honored your silent wish at distance. As I am sure you were still coping with what he did to you. I thought that giving you your space to grieve would help in the end.  I can’t imagine the pain you must have gone through, but I can’t do it anymore. I know you are still struggling, and I know you still wish to be alone. Yet over these past 2 months I have watched as my best friend has fallen apart with out me. I know post tramatic stress, and depression from what that man did to you will not disappear over night. Nor do I think it will disappear within even the next year, but I will tell you this. I ain’t going to be sitting on the side lines anymore. You don’t have to go through this alone. I am here and I will not sit back and watch you become a shell of your former self anymore.” He softly spoke staring into my sea blue eyes. Feeling tears threatening to spill over I swiftly pulled my face out of his grasp and gazed down at the ground ashamed to meet his gaze.

“I.. I’m sorry Conner. I just… It’s my fault Aaron turned against me, and because of it you were hurt. When I saw you that day in jail you looked so close to death. I was terrified I was going to lose you. I already lost Aaron. I couldn’t bare the thought If...” I whispered trailing off as I once more clutched at the gold chain around my neck. He didn’t respond probably unsure of what exactly to say. Glancing down at my hand I noticed a look of confusion than slight anger cross his face as he noticed the chain around my neck.  

“Is that the promise necklace Aaron gave you after he proposed.” I blushed sheepishly guilt filling my heart.

“Yes.” I whispered barely loud enough for him to hear.

“Why do you even still have that. After what happened…”

“I know Conner.” I snapped cutting him off pain in my eyes as I clutching the necklace even harder to my chest.

“I want to get rid of it. I’ve tried a million times to throw it into the fire place in my room but..” I trailed away unable to come up with the right words.

“I understand its only been 2 months since than. Of course it would be hard for you, but so long as you keep holding onto that you will never be able to move on. Here how about you give it to me and I will get rid of it for you.” He offered holding his hand out for the necklace. I hesitated a moment before sighing and slowing unclasping the chain. My hands shaking like a leaf in the wind, I moved it over to his open expectant hand. It was inches away from touching his fingertips when I snapped it back as if my life depended on it. Swiftly fastening it back around my neck I carefully hid the chain in my shirt. Clasping my hands over the spot where it was hidden I gazed up at Conner as if daring him to try to take it. Sighing he lowered his hand back to his lap shaking his head sadly at me. I relaxed slightly once I saw he wasn’t going to try to force me to give it up, before gazing once more at the ground biting my lower lip in the process. Shame once more filling my heart at my weakness.

“I know I’m pitiful. He nearly killed me, and practically beat you and all the other inmates to a pulp. So it shouldn’t be so hard for me to give up something as simple as this necklace, but I just can’t do it. Its the only thing besides the ring I have left of Aaron. I know he is a monster but I love him Conner. I hate that I do. I want to hate him for what he did. Yet I can’t. I just can’t. I’m so sorry. I bet you hate me now don’t you. I wouldn’t blame you either.” I sobbed curling inward. I felt Conner’s arms surround me as he pulled me in for a hug.

“Sasha I may not understand exactly what you are going through but I will always be here for you. I promise I am not going anywhere, and I definitely don’t hate you.” He soothed kissing the top of my forehead. He held me like that neither of us saying a word as a butterfly flew past our faces. After a moment he pulled away stretched and got up. Holding out his hand to me he gave me a goofy grin as he waited for me to take his hand.

“Now how about we go see what Fredrick is doing. We haven’t bugged him in forever. I fear he is becoming far too comftable with the lack of dead bugs in his bed.” I laughed grateful at his attempts to lighten the mood. Reaching out, I was inches away from taking his hand when I screamed. Pulling my hand back to cover my mouth in horror I stared at the bright red stain blossoming around the arrow that just shot through Conner’s chest.

“Well will you look at that. There’s an arrow in my chest.” He weakly chuckled gazing down at it. his eyes glazed over into a pearly hazel marble as he swayed from side to side. Falling backward onto the ground I watched in horror as a pool of blood surrounded him.

“CONNER!!!! GUARDS GUARDS HELP!”