—
"m y   b i g g e s t   m i s t a k e   i n   l i f e   i s   t h i n k i n g
t h a t   t h e   p e r s o n   w h o   h u r t   m e
w o u l d ' n t   h u r t   m e   a g a i n."
~ u n k n o w n
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"Deidra," called a voice to my left.

I was confused for a moment, lost in the sunset and not fully comprehending anything else around me. But the voice was becoming impatient, so I unlocked my focus and turned.
Beside me was a tall boy with thick black hair, and emerald green eyes. He was sitting on the grass with me, and his diamond-shaped face was formed into a disappointed look. He was frowning at me, and I forced a smile.

"Hi, Archer," I said softly, pushing back my dark hair from my face. Archer seemed as if he was searching my hazel eyes for something. All he could probably see was longing. Longing for the final moments of the sunset, watching as the canvased sky burst into color.

The boy beside me spoke in a low, gruff voice. "You're drifting again," he said.

"I'm not," I said defensively. "I'm just thinking."

"About what?" Archer seemed upset. I couldn't understand why.

"What's with you?" I asked. I hated when he asked me what was inside my head. I looked back at the sky, now a dark pink, turning purple. An orb of yellow was sliding behind a wall of trees far in front of us. Soon I'd be alone with the stars.

Archer sighed heavily. "You're avoiding the conversation." He sounded less harsh now. "You need to decide."

"I've made my choice," I said, yanking at the strands of grass. I examined the little ants by my feet, and one crawled onto my thumb.

"Oh?" Archer didn't seem convinced. He laughed bitterly. "Are you seriously going to act like you know what you want, Dee?"

"Yes, because I do," I said calmly. "I love you Archer, and you won't hurt me again."

"Tell that to Nadidah," he hissed.

"Shut up!"

I slapped my hands over my mouth, shocked at my own scream. I didn't think I would've ever snapped like that at Archer. I never ever shouted at him, even when he hurt me beyond repair.

I closed my eyes, and suddenly I was in darkness.

My hands were by my side, but another was covering my mouth, an arm around my throat. I could feel the warm breaths of someone on my neck, and the scent of a cemetery filled my nostrils.
Fake flowers and salty tears.

"You listen to me," the voice of Archer commanded in my ear. "You're nothing to me. Just like Nadidah was. She's dead now because she was just as foolish as you."

I was suddenly on my knees, being forced to the cold hard ground I couldn't see. But I could see Archers eyes, glowing in the dark, setting me a flame.

"Girls like you burn, Deidra," Archer boomed. "They burn because they don't know when enough is enough. Now I'm warning you. Leave me and live, or stay with me and dig your own grave."

My tears were like blood on my cheeks.
How could I leave him?
I loved him.
The pain I felt was worth it, because underneath the killer before me was someone who loved me just as much as I loved him.

In my mind I saw Archer and I, happy together. But I also saw the times I was bruised inside and out, physically and mentally.
But it was okay.
What we had was love.

"I'm not leaving you," I said softly.

"What?"

"I'm... not..."

"Speak louder!" Archer's voice was beast like. I trembled.

"I'M NOT LEAVING YOU!" I screamed.

...And then there was silence in the darkness.

—

A/N
New short story!
Wow this one was insane to write. What are your thoughts? Does anyone know what the names mentioned here mean? I chose them carefully for a reason. What do you think the lesson is here?
Part 2 will be out soon!