Capítulo 43: Chapter Forty-Three
Atlas fumed as he made his way past the rows of houses toward Venus' and Eli's. The houses along the rows had dark exteriors, but the open windows revealed the life hidden deep inside.
"What the hell..." He muttered as he passed the first set of dark houses.
Bright warm beams of deep yellow and orange light hit the grass and stone-covered walkway. They illuminated the path for Atlas. He steered toward the light as he walked through the dark trail. His feet hit the beams and were immediately hit with the warmth and comfort they bring with their presence.
"Why would she get so mad? I only said what was true..." Atlas clenched his fists and kicked a loose stone from the walkway. "I didn't mean it like that. I care about her, I do, but my job is to be Alpha and care for my pack. That is first. That should always be first."
Atlas continued his slow walk past the light homes and entered the dark, unoccupied section. These homes had plants, moss, and bugs of all kinds infesting the nooks and crannies of the walls, windows, and rooftops. They had stood empty since his grandfather handed his role to his son, Callan. From there, the pack size dwindled with the needless fighting and slaughter he brought.
Atlas lifted his gaze from the monotonous rocks to the broken window panes that lined the houses and doorways. He gazed at his reflection, fractured and broken, in the moonlight.
"She is better off without me." He told his reflection, his alternate self. "The pack is all that I need and all that I have." He turned from himself back toward the path and continued his plod.
Atlas entered the blinding light of a large house on the edge of the abandoned homes. He squinted as he looked up at the wide windows. As he approached, he noticed bright blue flowers in the window box, soaking in both the artificial and the natural night light. Its delicate petals were blue.
Atlas' breath caught in his throat as he approached the house. The grey-green foliage accented off the blue night-blooming flowers.
"Jack Frost..." He whispered as his calloused fingers stroked the delicate petals. "She loved it too, Mom." After a moment of soaking in the flower's smell and look, Atlas pulled away from the flower.
A high-pitched squeal sounded from the accompanying window. Atlas shot back to the window, the hair on his neck bristled.
There was a woman inside, draped over a man's arm. Both were laughing and smiling at each other. As though they had forgotten about the world around them. Their eyes sparkled as their noses brushed playfully. The man spun her around and dipped her, clutching her close to his body as they danced in the living room space.
Atlas sighed and ran his hand through his hair. His heart was heavy as he left the window sill and the loving couple behind.
A sudden gust of wind blew past Atlas, pushing him along the path faster. Atlas clutched his sides and shivered as the cold air hit him.
"Do you love her?" A disembodied voice whispered in his ear.
Atlas flinched at the sudden noise beside him. He dodged that side of the walkway for a few steps before another gust pushed against him.
"Do you love her?" The feminine voice repeated. It was fluid and demanding in its tone. Asking for something it already knew.
"The hell..." Atlas whispered under his breath, looking about wildly in search of the voice's source.
The wind died as fast as it appeared, leaving Atlas alone on the dark trail. He tossed cautious glances around the homes and forest edges as he walked toward Venus' home.
The soft pitter-patter of feet running perked up Atlas' ears. They were progressively getting louder and closer. Atlas spun around and felt a force knock him over onto his back. Atlas squeezed his eyes shut as he fell.
He grunted as he hit the ground. He reflexively clutched the thing above him tight to his chest. The thing groaned at the impact and the tightening around its waist.
He opened his eyes to see Serena's red face grimacing above him. Atlas released her quickly and pulled his arms high above his head.
Serena rubbed her forehead and groaned as she lay there on his chest. She shook her head and opened her eyes groggily. It was as though a light came on as she noticed what she was on top of. Her face flushed, and she scrambled to her feet, pushing a hand flat against Atlas' face in her effort to put distance between them.
"I-I am so sorry." She stammered, holding her hands out awkwardly.
Atlas rose to his feet and brushed off his pants.
"It's fine." He said, his voice tight and thick.
Serena looked over Atlas frantically inspecting every speck of dust on his pants and shirt.
"Are you okay? I shouldn't have been running, I was just so worried about Venus, and I needed to stop worrying about myself and worry about someone who actually needs it. And-" Serena continued to ramble, but the words were lost to time. Atlas gazed at the woman before him. She was dusting his shirt off and biting her lip in a way that made him gulp. Her green eyes were watery, as though she had just been crying, but they still sparkled with life the way they always did before him. He inhaled deeply, taking in her intoxicating scent that only he knew. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.
"Yes, I do." He whispered to the wind, finally giving her an answer.
As a reply, the wind came rushing back, whipping Serena's hair wildly. She fell forward, but Atlas was ready that time. He held out his arms as she fell into them. Immediately, his skin burned in the way only her touch could make.
She looked up at him, confused, but all he could do was smile in his half-smile way. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.
"Um..." Serena protested. Atlas put a hand on the back of her head and held it close to his heart. The beating quickened as her head hit his chest. He inhaled deeply once more, letting her presence invade his bloodstream.
"I love you, Lacuna. And I'm sorry for blaming you for my failures."
Status de energia semanal
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Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder