I watch the ornate hands of my watch slowly slip past three, what an annoyance to be late; minutes wasted on a descending metal box stuffed to the brim with strangers. A mechanical shudder brings the coffin closer; stealing all the air in the room with the opening of a door. Golden flecks danced among emerald stone; deep set sharp intelligence framed with lashes stole the air from my lungs. You never realize how dependent you are on an action like breathing until you are unable to perform such an action. Eyes like those have the depth to hide unimaginable secrets and danger; I step inside the normally bustling elevator to be alone with Flecks. Hundreds, if not thousands of people were in this airport and I was stuck alone in an elevator with a complete stranger; normally escaping a crowd is a heaven send, so why is my heart beating against my chest like a bird desperate for flight? I study his profile; sharply dressed in a dark blue suit, styled dirty blonde hair fell to the side. He looked dressed to kill; able to smooth any conflict but ruffle feathers when he wanted to. Such an odd reaction to being in such proximity to a stranger; my feathers were definitely ruffled, heat started to tingle up my neck and creep across my face. My flush reaches its maximum intensity; shame sends my eyes to the floor selection panel, seeing that the ground floor had already been selected. I can't breathe for what seems like ages, but mere seconds later his presence was calling to me. I turn back to this stranger before me, his powerful eyes sweep to mine and everything freezes; his eyes take in everything and give nothing away, stripping me to my soul. His face transforms as his lips stretch into smile that seemed to be lit from within. A source of indistinguishable fire; as dangerous as the smile imprinting itself in my mind with an image of emerald green; surrounded by fear, desire and memories.
Darkness brings with it endless fear now that she's not here, what would her opinion be? How would she judge he? So many things had been left unsaid and secrets hidden; but secrets are only as strong as those that keep them, and when she died he broke. Halfway through his newest bottle of bourbon I know it wont be long, he always find me. I have been at war with one of the most basic urges for what seems like ages; years upon years, do I run or do I slowly die? I have to wonder what my mother would think, would she stand beside be, or shame me for what he takes from me?
My mind scrambles to banish the haunting memory as the elevator doors wheeze open. Composure is the key to hiding truths; a meltdown was out of the question. The air between this stranger and I seemed charged, hushed like the moment before the storm, crowd eagerly awaiting on the edge of their seats. How long would it take for disappointment to settle into the crowd and myself? What amazing eyes; I could watch the light catch the different highlights of gold and green for eternities. Such thoughts are nothing more than pointless fantasies, a green eyes hero dressed sharply in a suit. However fantasies and realities are rarely the same, he was nothing more than a stranger and I nothing more than a pathetic girl, unable to stop gawking at merely a handsome face. Seconds kept pace with my thoughts and the elevator doors begin to shut. Reflexively I lurch forward, coming face to face with Flecks as we both stand with arms outstretched, waiting. Had he been waiting for me to go first the entire time? As soon as the thought seeps into consciousness a flush sweeps through my skin, showing just how embarrassed I was at the moment. I rush to step back and create distance between us, my body had become intensely aware of his, my every muscle taunt while my mind screamed to run; to get out of this situation and away from this man. My gaze is torn back to him, "After you, Azure." he says in a deep but quiet tone. My body reacts, unfrozen by his words before my mind can fully process what he said. My feet seemed disconnected as I spun to face him, "What did you call me?" I demand like a child. He pulls up short, nearly colliding with my luggage bag. He pauses to compose himself, smiling as he looks in my eyes. "I called you Azure," he begins to walk around me, "it was the only way I could think of to describe eyes as beautiful as yours." My eyes track his movements as heat rushes to my face, an answer on my lips only to be silenced by the sight of an approaching figure. I stammer out a thank you and have a nice day before I turn heel and head to cut off the approach. When he finally reaches me I can tell from the anger in his face that there was only one thing left to say, "I'm sorry Father."
Apologies have never pleased him, his face a faint shade of pink as he reaches for me; pulling me close in an iron grip. His grip is enough to draw the eyes of a few people passing by and raised eyebrows as he pulls me close and whispers in my ear. "Who was he? What were you doing with him? I could see the way he was looking at you; his eyes are right, you're nothing more than piece of trash. Were you a good little girl or do you screw everything that moves?" I stare into his eyes, not a word would come out; how could such an intelligence be wasted on a creature so cold? He watches me as the seconds seem to trickle by, completely vulnerable under his control. Desperately trying not to draw any more attention to myself I remain silent; I'd rather be thought of as a fool for my silence, then to open my mouth and prove to everyone that I am. As his elbow cracks against my ribs I know there is only one thing he wants to hear, obedience and acceptance in three words. "I'm sorry Father."
I walk to avoid him and the wandering glances, if I kept silent he wouldn't explode somewhere as public as an airport. As my thoughts follow my meaningless coasting I'm drawn back to emerald green with flecks of gold. How meaningless to be effected in such a way by a man, those things only lead to heartbreak and misery; I have enough of those already. How odd it is to yearn for one of the same things that trap you; an insect hungering for the sap of a venus fly trap. We're all just birds in a cage. I come to a mirror lining the hall, picking out all the different stages of yellow and purple along my skin. I stay like that; entranced by the reminders of times rather forgotten. I allow myself to go dangerously deep into my own thoughts; time stops and there is nothing but the voice in my head. How can I ever forget? "Hello again, Azure." I spin around, lurching away from the strangers voice as if it were a whip, hand flying to my throat to catch my heart before it launched itself at him. I take in a deep breath, trying to smooth all the cracks that I knew would be in my voice, "Hello Flecks." I tremble, seeing nothing but golden green flecks as I wait for a response.
