He's dead.

My father's dead.

My only family. . .dead.

He won't be there when I go back home. He won't be able to congratulate me. He won't be there to swing me around like he used to. I won't see his smiling face ever again. He's gone.

"She's out of the world. I don't think she can hear us."

"I'm really scared for her. What should we do?"

"We can't do anything about it. Look at her, I don't think she can even see us."

"Should we call a doctor?"

"That's not going to change anything. She's not herself. Nobody can save her. We can only pray."

Voices swirled in my head but I couldn't understand it. What are they talking about? Who's her? I bit my lip, my vision blurred from my tears. I'm not going to cry anymore. Dad said crying's not going to solve my problems. He said not to waste time and energy by doing something meaningless. Dad said-r-right, he's gone. He won't be there to teach me any of these things anymore.

What will happen to me? I'll be all alone. Queen Elizabeth will kill me next for sure. I'm going to die! But it's okay, anything's better than to feel this pain. I want it gone. Please, stop it! It feels like my heart is being pulled out of my chest. It's unbearable! Someone make it go away, please! I don't think I can handle it anymore. I'm dyi-

"Clarissa", someone said and caressed my cheek. "Clarissa it's okay."

I shook my head. No I'm not going to cry anymore, dad said-

"It's okay," he said again and caressed my hair. "Shhh, it's okay."

I felt myself being enveloped in a hug.

"It's okay to cry."

I bit my lip as I blinked my eyes. Gavier came to my vision, his blue eyes filled with worry.

I let the tears fall. The dam was broken, and I cried like a child in front of Gavier.

He wiped my tears with his fingers as he caressed my cheek. "Your dad's fine. He saved everyone from the fire. He isn't dead."

It was as if my spirit was set free, my whole body sagged with relief. Color went back to my eyes and I could finally hear. I could finally live.

I wrapped my hands around Gavier's neck, covering my face at the nape of his neck, then tightly clung my legs around his waist. "Thank you," I said hoarsely, still crying but because of happiness.

He lifted me up, wrapping his hands around my waist and one of my legs. I know I was being spoiled but I still didn't let go.

Whispers and voices filled the air. I could feel a lot of people staring at me, at us but I didn't care. Gavier walked until I heard him opening a door. He gently laid me down at the edge of his bed then slowly wiped my face with a cloth. I should've been alarmed when he unzipped my dress but I remembered Gavier saying that I have no sex appeal and that my body resembles a log so I let him. He took my dress off and my leggings then gently wiped my body.

Afterwards, he left for a few seconds and came back with a shirt. Leisurely he helped me put the shirt on, the shirt which smelled so much like him, I thought I was going to drown.

He lifted me up and laid me comfortably in the middle of the bed then joined me after turning off the lights. Neither of us spoke and I was thankful. I was still shocked from the news and needed time to recuperate. Gavier knew and gave me just that.

*****

Blood was splattered everywhere. Bloodshot cries of women kept ringing in my ears. There were bodies lying lifelessly on the ground making me shiver. I tried to scream but no voice came out.

"Lilia!" My dad cried, his voice strained, as he scrambled next to a woman's frail body.

"Promise me," she pleaded, tears flowing from her grey eyes, "Promise me please, please."

"I promise." My dad cried, tears formed in his eyes as they tried to hold them in but failed. "I-I-"

The woman put a finger on his lips. "Shhh, I know, I know. Thank you Richard." And her eyes closed for the last time, her hand fell down with a thud. It was painful to watch so painful.

"Your majesty!" My dad bawled as he let his head bury in her chest.

"Up now you fool!" One of the men said, his face had a nasty scar on it, "You should have known better than to betray us Richard. Now this is your penalty." He rested a gun on his head but my dad shook his head.

"Get the fuck up so I can beat you to death!"

"If you can." My father muttered then dropped a bomb on the floor. It burst, flames swallowed everyone including the woman on the floor, my father too, but for some reason he could still stand up and talk.

I felt my hands shook, tears flowing from my eyes, but I couldn't scream, I couldn't speak. I had never seen my dad so bloody and ablaze. I wanted to run to him but I couldn't. He finally looked at me, smiling gently.

"It's okay Clarianne," he said soothingly at me, fire spitting out from his mouth. "It's okay."

He tried reaching for me but I scrambled away, scared that I'd be caught in the fire.

"It's okay Clarianne, Clarissa."

"Clarissa, wake up." I jolted awake, still shaking from the nightmare.

Gavier held my shoulders, trying to keep me still. Still frightened from my scary dream I quickly clung onto Gavier, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck.

He sighed, "It's okay." He slowly patted my back. "It's just a nasty dream."

I relaxed but not enough to let go. I couldn't. I need him. He was my rock, my support and I don't think my life would be the same without him.

Realizing this made me more scared. What if he leaves me? What if he suddenly not want to be with me anymore? I don't think I'd be able to handle that. My heart would be ripped out of my chest once again.

I clung on him tighter, afraid he'd be gone. Please don't leave me.

I know I can sometimes be a bitch and I stutter like it's my disease. But I need you, and I know it's selfish of me. You're far out of my league, too far for me to reach. But just this once, let me be spoiled.

Stay with me, stay with me a little longer.

"Clarissa," he breathed in sharply and I slowly looked up at his beautiful face. He cupped my cheek and I leaned to his touch. "I think it's time for my reward."

I questioned him softly with my eyes.

"Really." He leaned closer, his eyes seemed drunk but remained its intensity, "You're too much for me."

I closed my eyes as he closed the gap. His lips touched mine tentatively and sweetly. It was as if I was an antique vase that would break easily when he angled my face softly with his hands to deepen the kiss. I moaned and opened my mouth as he groaned. I thought I would melt and I would've fallen if my hands weren't holding around his neck tightly.

"Jesus, Clarissa," he gasped when we let go for air, his eyes dilated. I blushed, not believing what just happened and covered my face with my hands.

He snatched them away quickly and covered my mouth with his shamelessly once again.

We kissed.

And we're kissing again.