Vintage Shadows
The weight of my history with Fernando was very much on my mind as we went more into the night. The days of rejection, the weeks of dishonesty, the months wasted on remorse and sorrow would not go away.
"Natalia," Richmore said, his worry clearly audible above the shadows. You've gone through a lot with Fernando; I can only image. I want you to know, nevertheless, that you are now safe. Love you."
His words soothed the pain that was buried deep within of me, encircling me like a consoling hug.
Natalia : Richmore, I thank you. I've been enmeshed in Fernando's shadow for so long. But I can see the light again at last when you're at my side.
Richmore encircled me, his words warm and loving.
Richmore: You don't have to go against your problems by yourself, Natalia. You have my unwavering support.
It was in Richmore's hug that I felt a sliver of hope flare to life. Notwithstanding the gloom of my history, I knew that I could conquer anything with Richmore's love and encouragement.
But a chill in the night air reminded me that Fernando's influence remained dark even as I reveled in his warmth. And the struggle for my heart continued, with no guarantee of a result, with every second that went.
I clutched to Richmore's affection like a lifeline as we went farther into the night, knowing that between us, we could overcome any obstacles that came our way. But I had no idea that the worst times of our trip were still to come.
We traveled into the night, the weight of Fernando's past looming large over us like a black cloud.
Richmore, you have to know how deeply troubled I am. Natalia. The days with Fernando were unsure, the weeks dishonest, and the months tearful and regretful. Neither did I ever feel safe or loved with him.
Richmore snatched me up, resolve and compassion reflected in his eyes.
Richmore: I swear to be the light that leads you through the darkness, Natalia, even though I can't take away the hurt of your history. I'll do all in my ability to provide you with the love, trust, and security you so well deserve.
His comments calmed me down like a balm in the middle of a storm.
Natalia : Respected Richmore. With you, I feel at last as though I can start to recover from the scars of the past and can breathe again.
But as we strolled along, I got a chill down my spine—a sense of impending doom.
Abruptly the peace of the night was broken by footsteps resonating through the shadows. As moonlight danced shadows, hiding the man coming toward us, my heart accelerated.
Fernando: Excellently, really excellently. Observe who it is. Natalia, I see you've got a new guardian now, my dear.
When he spoke, my blood froze, our turbulent history coming back to me with a fury.
Fernando, what do you want? Natalia asked. Nothing else is left to say to one another.
Stepping nearer, Fernando's eyes gleamed with malice as his lips twisted into a menacing sneer.
Fernando: But Natalia, we still need to wrap up certain things. You are not able to simply leave me. I own you, spirit and body.
Richmore moved in front of me, his posture defiant.
Richmore: Fernando, she is only the owner of herself. Ignore us.
Fernando, though, merely laughed, a shiver running down my spine.
Fernando: You believe Richmore, you can keep her safe? All you are, is an idiot. Whether or not she knows it, Natalia is always mine.
Fright and defiance thumping in my heart, I seized Richmore's hand. I was aware that the worst times of our trip were still to come and that our struggle with Fernando was far from done.
Fernando's laughing reverberated through the night, and I could feel the weight of his remarks pressing down on me.
Natalia : Fernando, you've got it wrong. Nobody will ever own me. I won't let you to sabotage the security and love I've found with Richmore.
But Fernando had a voice full of scorn and eyes that gleamed with a deadly fire.
Fernando: Natalia, we shall see about it. Though you might believe you've avoided me, you'll quickly understand that you can't escape your fate.
Richmore moved ahead, his eyes fixed on the target.
Richmore: Fernando, you are over. Never return; just go.
But Fernando merely laughed, the sound chilling my spine.
Fernando: You're going to be shocked, Natalia. You'll be sorry to cross me, you and your priceless Richmore.
Fernando vanished into the darkness after giving us that menacing warning, and a sensation of dread followed him.
Our struggle with Fernando was far from done, I realized as we stood in the ensuing quiet. And the threat appeared to be getting closer with every second that went by.
But I was not going to let dread win out. Richmore was by my side, and I felt that between us, we could overcome whatever obstacles came our way.
Our trip was far from over, I kept thinking as we went more into the night. And I could only pray that we would come out of the darkness uninjured, Fernando waiting to attack at any time.
I had no idea, though, that our trip's worst moments were still to come and that our love and resiliency would be truly tested.
My guts were shouting out a warning that danger was close as we carried on through the night.
A worried-sounding Richmore said, "Natalia," breaking the silence.
Richmore, Richmore, Natalia. I am familiar with both the men in black and that automobile. They are incredibly scary guys and they undoubtedly work for Fernando.
Richmore followed my gaze, his terror mirrored in his widening eyes.
What brings them here, Richmore? Can they really be here for us?
But the footfall got louder even as he was speaking, and the darkness encircled us like a stifling blanket.
Our quiet evening had abruptly and horribly come to an end as the men in black approached, their motives yet unknown.
I prepared for whatever horrors lay ahead of us in the darkness, Fernando's warning ringing in my head and the shadows drawing in around us. I had no idea, though, that the real gravity of the threat we were in was still to come to light and that our run-in with Fernando would have far worse effects than I could have ever anticipated.