Separation.
@cxliviate
Imogen hugged her knees to her chest. Her blue eyes were bloodshot and rimmed in red, her tears unable to continue to fall. They stared deep into the forest as if she was waiting for someone to emerge. Her fingers traced along the rose engagement ring, feeling the silver petals and the diamonds that lined the band. The crickets chirped loudly, but Imogen couldn’t hear them. She could only hear Ethan’s voice shouting her name.
The blonde man, still in his suit and tie from the wedding, sat down beside her. He put a light quilt over her shoulders and set down a cup of tea. If this were any different, Imogen would be elated to be in Zachary Downsong’s safe house. Instead, she was mad at the singer. She let the quilt drop from her shoulders, her eyes never tearing away from the woods.
“Look, I did it for your safety. You were standing there staring and there was a death eater pointing his wand at you. It was either get you to safety or let your boyfriend or fiance or whatever he is watch you get killed.” Zachary said putting the quilt back on her shoulders. Imogen kept quiet. She knew he was right, but they were so close to getting married. They were so close to having their lives start together. It just cemented the idea that nothing was permanent.
Imogen pulled the quilt around her before breaking her gaze from the forest and down at her lap. “I just never had anyone care about me as much as he did. We were going to get married, but I had to--” She closed her eyes, Ethan’s face creating a permanent image in her mind.
“You’re acting as if he died.” Zach remarked while leaning on his knees. “For all we know, he’s safe and sound with the Order.”
“For all we know.” Imogen said as she took the tea. She brought it to her lips but couldn’t get herself to take even a small sip. “With my luck, he’s probably...they probably…”
“With your luck, you’ll see him again.” Zach said confidently. “We’ll lay low for a few days, and then we can get your plan off the ground. Just because Ethan isn’t here doesn’t mean the world stops. You move forward and keep yourself distracted.” He patted her on the back reassuringly.
Imogen kept the cup of tea in her hands as she looked back towards the forest. She knew he wouldn’t be able to find her here. It was too secluded, just as a safe house should be. She sighed and put her tea down, reaching into her bag to pull out the napkin of all their plans if they ran away all those years ago. Instead, she pulled out a thin and worn Rolling Stones t-shirt, the one he wore when they first met. The tears ran freely down her cheeks once more as she brought the shirt up to her face. The material felt soft and smelled exactly like him.
“Please be okay.”