Chapter 20 - WHY YOU’RE GONE

ROBBIE'S POV

After Amber and I shared our first kiss under the moonlight, we laid down in the grass field. Side by side we held each other's hands, watching the night sky and the occasional fireflies that would pass by. It was a moment of tranquility, a moment of peace, and a moment of absolute bliss.

But nothing lasts forever and our happiness is destined to fade away.

That night we were so happy.

That night we kissed, we confessed our love and held each other.

And also that night she was taken away from me.

Stolen and was never returned.

We remained in the field for hours, I have to admit we were so happy that we lost track of time. However, it was so foolish of us- a silly mistake that led to our demise and separation.

We were so happy in our own little lives that we forgot the rest of the world…

Suddenly there was a shout then another and was followed by another.

Panicked, we both stood up quickly.

There are people everywhere, torches in hand they are searching for someone.

"Amber where are you?" a man called out.

I already knew who it was, Marcus Stone.

Amber's father, the richest man in the town he owned most of the farmland and a few of the shops in the town. And because of this he never liked me or the idea of me getting close to his daughter, drunk in his money and power he thinks nobody in town is worthy of Amber's hand. He is cruel and selfish, there would some night that Amber will sneak out late at night crying. She didn't need to tell me why because I already knew by the bruises forming in her arms.

I held Amber's hand both of us are ready to run to the forest and hide.

But it was too late we were spotted.

Suddenly I felt my face hitting the ground and I was pinned down. On the other hand, Amber was kicking and screaming wanting to be let go off.

I remembered how we both desperately called for one another, how we struggle against the people that are ripping us apart.

I shove the person above me and was about to run after Amber only be hit in the head so hard my vision blurred, there was a ringing in my ears and I fell only ground once more.

With a groan, I felt my consciousness drifted away and my vision darken.

I woke up the next morning in our house, the sun shining through the bedroom window.

As I tried to get up I groaned due to the pain in my head.

Without a warning, the bedroom door opened and my mother appeared in the doorway, her face looks tired. There are bags under her red and puffy eyes while her lips held a deep frown.

I sat up knowing something bad happened.

Walking closer, my mother looked even more worried and tired.

"Robbie dear…" she stated clearly unsure what to say.

I remained in silence, my body hurts and my guts are telling me something horrible happened.

"Do you remember what happened last night?" she asked.

Last night? My memories are hazy, what happened last night?

Thinking hard I finally had a recollection of last night's events.

I bolted up, but my mother stopped me.

"Amber, where is she?!" I asked my mother ever so desperately.

"She's safe at their home but… I was told she was not allowed to leave her room" she said with a voice filled with sorrow.

"I need to help her Mum, I have to go" I said my voice starting to rise.

"No, Robbie you need to listen to me. Marcus Stone just had a conversation with your father, he said that this is the last time he will tolerate you and your secret relationship with his daughter. Your father and I are afraid of what he will do to you, please son for me and for your father just stay here" my mother's eyes filled with tears as she held both of my hands.

She closed her eyes and hang her head, begging me not to go.

With a broken heart, I told her "Alright I won't do anything reckless" I promised.

But deep in my heart, I know what I have to do.

My mother helped me to lay back in bed.

"I'll go get something for you to eat" she informed me with a small smile on her face and a glint of hope in her eyes.

I sorry mother but I have to save Amber.

Without realizing it I dozed off and when I come about it was already noon, the sun was sinking to the horizon and the color red and orange reflects in the sky. Giving an ominous warning as if the gates of hell will appear any moment now, cursing my own tardiness I quickly stood up from the bed ready to look for Amber.

Why did I fell asleep that day? On such an important day I failed as her lover.

I used the bedroom window to exit the house, not wanting to risk running into my parents.

And as quickly as I can, I run towards the town even with the pain in my body I went on.

Please be alright Amber, I'm coming just wait for a little longer.

Reaching the gates of the manor I can't help but feel anxious, the red sky illuminating in the dark walls of the manor is giving a horrible sensation of dread and fear. The trees are caving in and the windows are dark, the place is so hollow it feels like the devil himself lives within its walls.

I went around the manor to reach the willow tree that stands tall by her bedroom window.

Without a second thought, I climbed the tree, reaching the window I knocked thrice.

But she didn't answer and my heart seemed to sink all the way to the bottom of my stomach.

I tried my luck once more and knocked on her bedroom window, immediately I heard some shuffling.

I was overjoyed to see Amber reaching for the window, after she opened it I did not waste any time and went in.

We held each other closely and after letting go, I held her face only to see a bruise on her left cheek.

With a teary red fair of eyes, she looked at me.

"Robbie you have to go if my father sees you…he will kill you" she said sternly with her dried trembling lips.

But I'm not planning on abandoning her, not even for a second.

Holding her hand close to my chest I looked deeply into her eyes.

"Fine, I will go but not without you" I told her with every bit of confidence in my body.

"What?" she said her eyes are squinted a little and brows are knitted together.

"If you want me to go I will, but I'm taking you with me" I boldly stated.

Amber remained in silence which I took as an opportunity to speak again.

"Listen to me, your father will never let us be together he will use every bit of his power to separate us. Our life here will never get better with him here, but if we run away now we can be happy. We can live elsewhere, get married, and have children. Doesn't that sound like bliss to you?" I told her hoping she will agree.

"What about your parents?" she asked.

"That's the thing I'm willing to abandon them for you, I'm willing to just leave everything behind and never to look back. So please Amber, let's leave all of this mess behind and start a new life TOGETHER" I said to her.

She held my hand and looked at me straight in the eyes.

And with a single word everything seemed to spring back to life,

"TOGETHER"

That is all she said with a bright smile and a spark in her eyes.