I fell in love with a boy a long time ago. I was only a small girl.
Scared and frightened, I was taken from my home and held against my
will. His father hurt me, but he protected me and kept me safe as best
he could. Until I left him. I ran the first chance I got, and even
though I knew he wasn't behind me, I didn't stop. The branches lashed
out at me, punishing me for leaving him in the hands of a monster. I've
never felt such guilt in my life.
Although I survived, the boy was never found. I prayed for him to be
safe. I dreamed he'd be all right and come back to me. Even as a young
girl I knew I loved him, but I betrayed him. Twenty years later, all my
wishes came true. But the boy came back a man. With a grip strong enough
to keep me close and a look in his eyes that warned me to never dare
leave him again. I was his to keep after all. Twenty years after leaving
one hell, I entered another. Our tale was only just getting started.
It's dark and twisted.
But that doesn't make it any less of what it is. A love story. Our love
story.