A Brand New Ending

Chapter 39

Braeden



"You look beautiful," I state, noticing how incredibly amazing she looks in that outfit. Walking up the first few steps, I slide my hand in hers.

"Ready?"

She nods. Leading her out the front door, we walk down the street, crossing a few blocks before we reach the underground transit. Most people don't have the need for a car living in the city and taxis tend to be expensive. As we descend the escalator, I pull her close to me, feeling her fingers tremble in mine.

"He's not here, Seraph," I whisper in her ear. "I won't let anyone hurt you again."

She looks up at me and gives me a light smile before nuzzling her face into my neck. Once we reach the bottom, I walk over to the machines, putting twenty dollars on a pre-paid card for her.

"This is yours," I say handing it to her. "I want you to keep it. You're going to need it for when I'm not with you. "

Her eyes widen as she takes it from my hand. I can tell the thought of being out alone terrifies her. A small wave of anger flows through me every time she looks this vulnerable, knowing that a*shole caused her broken state.

"Come on, Seraph, let's go eat."

We stand on the platform for a few minutes, my form behind her, my arms wrapped around her tiny frame.

"Have you ever ridden the subway before?" I ask into her ear.

I see her head shake. I guess that's a dumb question. When our train comes, I push on her to move forward, still holding onto her from behind, knowing people on here can be quite pushy. I maintain my hold on Phoenix as we remain in the standing position, all the seats already taken. Curling my left arm around her back, I hold her into my chest, my right arm hanging onto the handlebar above me. After a few stops we filter out and head back above ground, only a block away. We reach the restaurant quickly and I open the door, letting Phoenix enter first.

"Braeden!" I hear my name being called out, the owner of the restaurant coming over to us. "It's so nice to see you!"

Letting go of Phoenix's hand I shake his.

"It's really nice to see you too, Salvatore." I smile.

"And who is this beautiful creature you've brought with you?" he asks, his eyes finding Phoenix's.

"This is my Phoenix," I say, wrapping my arm around her. Salvatore brings her hand up gently, placing a small kiss on top of it. If he wasn't almost old enough to be her grandfather I would be jealous. "We have the best table for you two," he says, ushering us to follow him.

When we reach the back room I notice we're going to be seated alone, a table for two in the middle of the room, a small candle lit in the center.

"Thank you," I say to him as I walk around the table, pulling out a chair for her.

Salvatore nods and leaves us alone.

"Thank you," she says shyly as she sits. "This is beautiful, Braeden."

I smile at her as I sit down across from her.

"I have been coming to this place for a long time. It was my family's favorite restaurant."

The waitress brings us our menus. I don't have to even look at it to know what I am going to order. I take this opportunity to watch Phoenix, her eyebrows scrunching as she reads over the menu, a small smile coming across her face. After a few minutes, she sets her menu down and looks up at me, catching me staring at her.

"What?" she asks, red rising on her cheeks.

My heart begins to pound in my chest. Before I have time to answer the waitress comes up to our table, losing the moment.

For the rest of dinner Phoenix and I talk about everything and anything. I am relieved by her happy mood and Salvatore's chef seems to know the secret to awakening her appetite. After dessert we walk along the streets of the city, my hand in hers. After a few blocks, I feel a shiver run down Phoenix's arm, different than the fearful kind I'm used to.

"Are you cold?" I ask her.

"A little bit," she admits shyly.

I look at what street were on, knowing the café is close.

"Come on," I say tugging on her, an idea popping into my head.

When we reach the front door I stop her.

"Since I want to be completely honest with you, when we go in this café the women working here might seem…odd."

She laughs lightly. "It's OK, Braeden. I see how women look at you."

I roll my eyes. "Don't let that shit get to you, Seraph, I only want you," I say leaning down and pressing her lips to mine.

Pushing the door open, I hear the bells on the handle chime, my eyes immediately finding Lacey, her eyes wide. Grasping Phoenix's hand, I walk up to the front counter, pulling out my wallet.

"Two hot chocolates, please," I say pulling out a twenty, keeping my eyes on Phoenix, a smile coming across her face.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Lacey throw her broom on the ground and leave the room. A girl I've never seen before starts to makes our drinks and I'm grateful I don't have to deal with any bullshit. When they're done I slide a lid and sleeve on each and head back out the door, still hand-in-hand with Phoenix. I watch her take a sip, a look of enjoyment spreads across her face.

"Good?" I ask.

"Very." She smiles.

Things fall silent for a second.

"She looked really mad," Phoenix laughs as she puts her lips on the cup again. "Did you two have a thing?"

I scoff, almost ashamed that she would think I would date that.

"Never," I say looking into her eyes. "I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole. That woman is the definition of fugly."

"Braeden…" I hear her scold.

"No, I don't mean it like that, baby," I go to explain. "Inside, she is as black as night."

"What about me?" I hear her ask softly.

Leaning down I put my fingers under her chin, making her look at me.

"You are the most beautiful person I have ever seen, Phoenix. Both inside and out. You have been broken multiple times over, but here you stand. Willing to open your heart to me when you trust no one else."

She doesn't respond but instead curls into my chest and we walk the rest of the to the subway station. Once we get home I open the side door to my father's house. I'm not surprised to see all the lights off. The house is vacant. Shutting the door behind me I watch her start to head upstairs.

"I'll be right back," she says before running upstairs and out of sight.

Walking over to the couch, I set myself down on it, turning on the TV hoping to cut up the silence. I stare at the screen, an unknown amount of time passing before my vision becomes blocked, everything dark.

"Count to ten and come find me," I hear her voice whisper in my ear.

Before my eyes have time to adjust she is gone like a leaf in the wind. I slowly rise from the couch.

"One…" I call out loud. "Two. Three."

I start to walk around the family room.

"Four."

"Five."

"Six."

I peer into the kitchen, her figure nowhere to be seen.

"Seven."

"Eight."

"Nine."

"TEN!" I shout out, bounding more into the kitchen, pulling open the door to pantry.

Empty.

I feel like a kid again, memories flooding over me. Heading back into the living room I check every crevice and closet, all of them coming up empty. I look up the stairs but decide to stay on the first floor since I didn't hear any telltale creaks coming from the stairs while I was counting. After minutes I gather that she's not downstairs, only leaving one place. Outside.

Walking up to the glass slider, I reach up with a shaky hand, pushing it open. Looking down at the ground, I secretly pray that she is sitting on one of the chairs on the porch. I am grateful for the motion censored lights illuminating the backyard. Swallowing, I take the first step out, peering out into the backyard.

"Phoenix," I call out, no longer wanting to play.

When I hear no answer I take another step, my body slowly descending the stairs. And then I hear it. A crash comes from the shed, my body jumping.

"Phoenix!" I shout out as I run over to it.

I go to put my hand on the handle but my hands are trembling so bad that I can't clasp onto it. I can hear a giggle come from within.

"Phoenix! Get out of there now!" I scream, my voice echoing through open space. Moments later, I see the shed door being pulled open, Phoenix's form coming into the light. Grabbing her arm harshly I drag her back up the steps of the patio and slam the back door closed behind us. As I lean against it, I feel my body becoming weak and my legs buckle out from under me, my body hitting the ground.

I hear Phoenix scream out my name before everything goes black.