Zoe

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My heart beat as fast as the rain in a summer storm at the same time as it stood still like a frozen winter lake. I had enjoyed his company too much, forgotten what I actually needed to do. But now it was time for it.

I carefully removed my hand from Felix's.

"I have to leave," I said instead of answering his question.

His eyes widened. "Oh, okay. You want to do something later? Or tomorrow?"

I shook my head and forced myself to keep on looking into his eyes. "I mean that I have to leave town."

It was quiet for a solid ten seconds.

"Why? You just got here yesterday, didn't you?"

"Yes. But I can't stay here."

"Why?"

"I just can't."

I tried my hardest to not let my eyes waver, but the sadness and confusion that came off him made it impossible. So my eyes fell, and I focused on a part of my cup that was chipped.

"Okay," he said slowly. "I know we barely know each other, but is there any way we can keep in touch?"

"No. I..." It was my chance to reject him. To sever the bond and make everything that was to come much easier. But my heart was already broken into a million pieces and I couldn't even get past the first words.

"Can you look at me?" he asked after another long silence and I complied. I did my best to keep all emotions out of my eyes, but I must have not succeeded considering his next question. "Are you afraid of something?"

A thousand things. Constantly. Of myself. I want to tell you and explain it all, but I simply can't.

"No."

"What is bothering you?"

The very concept of never seeing you again. If I could have it my way, I would hold on to you and never let you go. You are my other half and I'm not sure I'll be able to keep on going without you now that I've found you.

"Nothing."

"Zoe..." He stretched out his hand, to touch my cheek I was sure. I watched his hand came closer, waited to see if it would stop. But it didn't, so I wrapped my hand around his wrist and held on tight, moved his hand away from me.

"Don't," I simply stated. My resolve came back to me, as well as the strength in my voice. I couldn't be weak. All of this was for him, to protect him, to make sure he didn't die. I couldn't waver. "You will never see me ever again. This, having coffee with you today, was a mistake on my part. I'll be gone within the hour."

I let go of his hand and stood up. Turned around. Started the painful walk away from him.

"Zoe, wait! At least tell me why you have to leave."

The whole café seemed to have gone quiet. Everything was frozen and waiting to see what I would do next.

I turned back, hoped he wouldn't see the tears that started to build up in my eyes.

"Goodbye, Felix. Stay safe."

I rushed from the café before he could say another word. I knew there was a risk that I would change my mind if he did.

As soon as there was a turn in the street, I took it and hoped that he hadn't seen me turn. Thankfully also, the alley was empty, so I summoned the little strength I still had and teleported myself into my hotel room.

There I broke apart.

Tears took over me. Made me shaky and weak. When my legs couldn't handle my weight anymore, I laid down on the floor. Curl into a ball. I didn't even make it to the bed.

I didn't know for how long I stayed like that until I was overcome by sleep.

When I woke up, my body ached from the floor, but that was nothing compared to the pain in my soul. I had to leave. I couldn't stay there. Every second I stayed, I got closer to running back to Felix and ask for his forgiveness. That was the last thing I should be doing. But it would be such a blessing to just see him again. To know for certain that he would be alright.

A thought occurred to me. I could see him as long as he didn't see me, and I was a pretty talented witch after all.

I scrambled to my bag and ripped it open. Hoped I could figure out a good concealment charm.

A week later, I repeated three sentences to myself over and over as I walked the street behind Felix.

I'm not a crazy stalker. I'm not losing my mind. I'm not being insane.

I had seen him every day that week, but he hadn't seen me. I had managed to make a potion that temporarily made me invisible. It was not super strong and I didn't have too much since I hadn't brought a lot of herbs. So I contented myself to three hours of watching, not stalking, a day.

Though it had been hard to even get those three hours. Every morning, I would take out a map and a crystal to scry for him, find out where he was, and when the crystal wouldn't drop, I would assume that he was at home. I went there and waited outside, hidden. I still didn't dare to try to get in, considering the amulets. But he stayed indoors almost all the time. The amount he left had increased over the week, though.

After every day, I told myself that it had been the last one and that I would go home and figure out an excuse for why I hadn't killed Harry Jackson. But every day I found a reason to stay just one more day. The past three it had always been the same.

He had started to look a bit ill. He was paler and had dark rings under his eyes. Both of those things got more and more prominent for each day that passed.

I couldn't bring myself to leave when I knew he wasn't alright. If I could only figure out what ills him, I could probably cure it without him noticing. But he didn't cough, or sneeze, or anything else. It kind of seemed like he just didn't sleep properly.

It was about lunch time, and he walked into a building. I knew that the effect of the potion was wearing off, so I didn't follow. To be honest, I was also exhausted. I couldn't fall asleep and on the rare occasions that I did, I had nightmares. Always similar once.

Me touching Felix and him falling dead to the ground.

My coven attacking Felix and him falling dead to the ground.

Felix knowing I was a witch and while trying to kill me, touched me and him falling dead to the ground.

It would maybe be easier to get some rest with the sound of people and nature around, I contemplated. It was worth a try, at least.

I quickly teleported to the hotel room to get a blanket and then back. There was a park just a few minutes away, which I had passed while following Felix, and I went there. I spread the blanket on the ground, laid down and closed my eyes.

I had been right. It was oddly soothing to smell the nature and hear the buzz of voices. I let it infiltrate my mind and for the first time since I met Felix, I managed a few moments without thinking about him.

"Zoe?"

My eyes snapped open because I knew that voice all too well.

Shit. Shit shit shit shit.

The concealment potion had worn off completely.

I sat up, and immediately my eyes found the eyes that were as green as grass.