The next day was rather calm. As on Saturday all sorts of crazy happened, my mom wasn't exactly keen on allowing me to go out of the house. Especially when almost every media company knew our address.
My mom started working at Maddie's father's company the next day. Although I had disagreed with that strongly, I kept my mouth shut. It was better her having a job there than her losing her old one and is having to move back to Colorado. As much as I'd hate to admit, I was starting to like the really warm weather.
"Alright, I'm leaving for work dear, stay inside the house, alright?" She said firmly.
"Well, can I go for a walk on the beach?" I asked.
"Is the beach inside the house? There's your answer." She grabbed her bag before opening the door. She turned to face me with a sigh.
"This isn't a punishment dear, it's to keep you safe. Let's let things die down before you do anything else." She said. I nodded.
"Alright, I'll see you when I get home. Please stay inside." She repeated.
"I know I know." I said. She finally left. I waited till I heard her car leave before returning back up to my room. I grabbed my favorite pair of jean shorts and a top before quickly changing into it, Putting my swimsuit I'm underneath. I grabbed my phone and slippers before rushing back downstairs.
As I was about to open the screen door, my phone buzzed in my hand.
"I mean what I said Somnium.." my mom texted. I stared at it for a moment before looking back up at the door. I sighed frustrated.
"I'm gonna get in so much trouble for this.." I said as I opened the door to the beach, locking it with the keys behind me.
***
It was always sunny here, today was no different. The beach was less crowded to day and only a few people were walking around. I figured it would be best if I didn't jump into the water like a crazy person in front of all of them. I walked over to the more secluded area of the beach, near the big rocks and where the water was deeper. Remembering the last time I was over here, I shuddered. But I still raced over the the big boulders, Worried that there were still reporters loitering around the house.
Instead of climbing the rocks, I slowly dipped my feet into the water, where it was most shallow. Just as I was treading carefully around the rocks, the wind blew strongly. I smiled brightly.
"He's here." I thought to myself. Finding one of the more dry rocks that were father away from the waves, I carefully tossed my phone on it. As well as my shirt and shorts that I was wearing over my swimsuit. I waited by the rocks, standing in the water that was already up to my knees. The wind soon blew again. I submerged myself under the cool water and almost immediately felt two arms wrapped around me. I couldn't help but to smile.
Turning around, I saw Fulcrum staring back at me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him firmly, trying my best to hold back my smile as I did so. Pulling away, his face twisted into confusion.
"I thought you said it was too dangerous for you to come here?" He asked. I was lost in his face as he said so. I quickly pushed my thoughts out of my mind.
"Well, if anything now it's even more dangerous." I sighed. He looked at me puzzled.
"What do you mean?" He said.
"The flower you gave me? I had one of my friends over and she saw it. Turns out it's pretty expensive up on land. A bunch of reporters almost broke down my front door trying to get it." I said tensing up.
"Did these reporters hurt you?" His face darkened. "Who are they?"
"No no, I'm fine, reporters are people that report all the important or crazy things that happened, that flower turned out to be at the top of there list apparently." I explained. I retracted my arms from his neck. His hands on the other hand, stayed firmly wrapped on my sides.
"The flower? That's what they want?" He asked. I nodded nervously. He mumbled something under his breath aggressively. I quickly walked my hands.
"yeah. But no worries, I don't plan on giving it to them, or telling them anything about you." I promised. He nodded but seemed distracted, his mind lost elsewhere.
"Fulcrum..? Are you alright?" I asked cautiously. What ever he was thinking of was gone just as fast, he looked at me with a smile.
"Yes. And thank you.. about all of this." He said. "Why are you still protecting me? You still come back here even after all that has happened because of me." He said, His eyes looked scared at what I would respond with. I rubbed my neck sheepishly.
"I.. I don't know. I mean, you are my only friend here, and yeah, at least I never get bored with you around.." I tried to explain, realizing how weird I was explaining it. His hands retracted from my waist.
"Your just here so you don't get bored?" He asked. I winced realizing how it sounded. I quickly shook my head.
"No! No that's not what I mean." I quickly said, looking back up at him. A frown graced his lips.
"I'm, I'm not good at this.." I said. I wanted to continue talking, to explain to him what I meant when he suddenly and swiftly pulled me to his side. I let out a gasp in shock before quickly wrapping my arms around his neck. My feet couldn't no longer touch the scratchy sand floor. Looking back at where I was once standing, I was able to catch a glimpse of something pulling back out of the water. My face paled.
It was a large fish net, I could only guess who it was. Fulcrum's grip on my waist tightened. I quickly turned to him.
"Leave me and go! Before he catches you." I said, I tried to break out his grip, but he only pulled me back.
"And hand you directly over to him? No way." He scowled. I sighed and looked at him.
"Stop being stubborn and go! He can't sell me on the black market, but he sure as hell can sell you!" I said, as harsh as it sounded, I needed him to let go of me unless he wanted to die. Just then, the net swiped again, it skimmed passed my leg harshly.
"What if he finds a way to hurt you?" Fulcrum continued. I could hear the uncertainty radiating off of him. I gave him a brief hug.
"Even if he finds a way to catch me, I would never forgive myself if I was the reason you were caught. Not after everything you've done." I said quickly. I didn't know when he would try again to swipe at us, I turned to Fulcrum, my eyes pleading.
"Your going to get yourself killed Fulcrum, let go of me." I said. He didn't respond but stared back at me. I knew it wasn't the place or time but I didn't know when I would see him again. As my hands gently folded over his, I leaned in and kissed him. He kissed me back warmly and I took it as my chance to pry him away. I pushed him back as hard as I could. As if it were timed, the net swung back under, my arm tangled in the net. I watched as Fulcrum swam over to me and was about to try and pry me out.
Although I was terrified of what the old man would do to me, I knew it would be worse if he found Fulcrum. It was already too late, I was lifted out of the water harshly, I hissed as my leg scraped against the hard rope material. I wasn't able to get another word out as I was tugged back on land.
***
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