Chapter 23: Chapter 23

River

I was putting up the mop in the closet when someone came in.

The day had been rather quiet. The dogs had behaved themselves. Maggie had left about an hour ago. I was closing for the night.

It was the day of Daimen's mother's funeral and like he'd asked, I'd skipped out on it. I felt bad about not going, but he didn't want me there so it wasn't my place. The two of us hadn't spoken since the night at the hospital.

I dusted off my jeans and went back to the front where I could hear someone pacing around. I pulled up short as I entered the front and saw Daimen's father walking back and forth. He stopped when he noticed me.

"River. Hi." I lifted my eyebrows at my former principal. I frowned at his appearance. His right eye looked swollen and bruised and I scoffed.

Do all Princeston men like scuffles?

"What do you want? Why are you at my job; how the hell do you know I work here?" I asked and he shook his head and sighed.

"I know you're upset with me, I didn't think he'd get mad at you." He said and I scoffed.

"Why are you here?" I snapped instantly annoyed and sick of seeing his face.

"It's Daimen." He said and I felt a chill rush through me.

"What? Did something happen; is he okay?" I asked and his father made a weird hand gesture and shrugged.

"He's at the cemetery." Mr. Princeston said with a scowl.

"Still? What time did the service end?" I asked. It was growing dark out.

"Four hours ago." He said ducking his head.

"Four hours? What is he doing?" I breathed.

"Drinking. I tried to get him to leave, where do you think this black eye came from? He won't listen." His father huffed and dragged a hand down his face.

"I'll see about him okay?" I said and Mr. Princeston let out a relieved sigh.

"Thank you." His father huffed trying to hug me and I backed away with a scowl.

"I'm not doing this for you." I retorted.

"I know, but I'm thankful you're trying to help him." He said and gave a sad smile, shoving his hands back into his pockets.

My foot pressed on the brakes as I made it to the cemetery. I looked out on the dark place with a frown. I could see the outlines of tombstones, but the lights were dim and I couldn't see Daimen.

I got out of the car and shut the door, my heart was beating like crazy.

I entered the graveyard and looked around.

"Daimen?! Where are you?!" I yelled, but got no answer. My eyes scanned the area. I started walking around searching for him but soon was running.

I paused in my run as I saw him, sitting by a mound of fresh grave dirt, a bottle in his hand.

"Daimen." I said as I came to stand beside him.

"Oh, so now you care." Daimen grumbled as I crouched beside him and to that I frowned. He wasn't really facing me and his head was bowed.

"What are you talking about?" I asked trying to keep my voice steady, but I was already worked up as it is.

"You didn't even come to the funeral... You didn't even come for a minute." Daimen growled.

"You told me not to." I said in indignation and the man scoffed.

"Yeah, the one time you fucking listen." He said bitterly and shook his head staring at the ground, "You should've came."

"I'm here now aren't I?" I said softly and he only huffed.

He looked up at me and I gasped.

"Daimen." I whispered and cupped his cheeks in my hands.

His skin felt warm yet a weird cooling sensation tingled against my hands. I stared into his eyes, worried, because the amber shade I'd come to know seemed to have ate away at his pupils until they were nothing but a black speck against a forestial pool.

"Daimen what did you do?" I asked softly and he just looked at me. His eyes saw me, but it was as if he was looking right through me. Almost like I was made of glass.

"Don't touch me." He said slowly and I reluctantly took my hands away. My heart was racing in my chest and I fought to control it.

"Okay... I won't touch you. What did you take Daimen?" I asked softly and I tried to ignore the tightening of my throat.

"Just some stuff." He said lazily and I gave a stiff nod.

"You need to get home." I said going to help him to his feet. He gripped my arm in a fierce hold and I gulped as he yanked me toward him.

"I said don't touch me." He spat and shoved me away. I tripped and landed on the ground with a thud and groaned as my head hit the ground, luckily it hadn't collided with a headstone.

I gasped and rubbed my aching temple. He looked at me and not a flicker of remorse came to light in his dark eyes.

"Don't you ever touch me." Daimen spat and I gave him a long look. Seeing him like that... it broke my heart.

"Daimen please you need to get home." I said softly and he practically growled at me.

"Don't tell me what I need! You don't know what I need!" He began yelling and I shook my head in dismay.

"You're talking crazy... let me help you--" I tried and he went ballistic.

"Help me? Help me?! Help your damn self! Why do you even talk to me River? Why?! You know I'm dangerous, you've seen what I can do. You know I'm fucked up. You're scared; I see it in your eyes when you look at me! You're scared of me! So why the fuck are you here?!" Daimen bellowed standing up swiftly and marching toward me with a murderous glare. My heart twisted in pain.

"Daimen please--"

"Don't make me hurt you River. Leave... leave just like everyone else." Daimen spat and gave me a look of disgust. My stomach churned and suddenly I was fired by a wave of anger.

I stalked up to him and before I even knew what had happened, I, little old River, had slapped Daimen Princeston in the face. The sound was loud and I should have been scared, after all he was right; I was fearful of him. But I was more fearful of what he might do to himself.

"Don't you compare me to the people in your life that didn't give a damn about you. Grow the fuck up. You think I want this? You think I want to be worried about you? You of all people? I don't. I wish I didn't care about you Daimen, but I do... Find your own fucking way home." I hissed and pushed him away from me. Something flickered in those dark eyes of his, but what it was I'm not sure.

"Wait," Daimen said and with a huff he stomped over to me and grabbed my waist before pulling me against him.

"I'm sorry." He said softly and I looked up at him in turmoil.

I shook my head and pulled away from him. My feet backed away from him and my mind was swarming with horrible thoughts and wants. I bit my lip and looked at the ground. I hated that I cared so much. I felt my lip begin to quiver and I bit harder and swallowed my emotions.

"Don't do this Daimen... Don't end up like your mother please... I've got to go." I sighed and turned.

Part of me wanted to stay with him. Wanted to make him feel better. Wanted to kiss those angry lips and hold that horrible human, but I wouldn't allow myself to.

"River." His voice followed me, but he stayed in place. I glanced back and he watched me with dark eyes and an almost confused look on his face.