Butterfly 2

by Ashley Antoinette

this meant for him and Mo. Aria walked out the door. Morgan turned, holding onto the back of the couch with one hand. They were silent. Staring at one another like they were soaking each other in, noting every detail, because they weren’t sure if they would get the opportunity to again. Ahmeek stood in front of her, brow furrowed in worry, eyes shining with confusion. The sight of him both stirred and disturbed her soul. Ahmeek, Messiah’s left hand, and her lover. What a fucking complicated mess she had made. Her lip quivered. “Is it true? He’s alive?” Meek asked. There was something in his tone. A break. Hope wrapped in disbelief, with a bow of sadness on top because Messiah’s return changed so many things. Morgan couldn’t even find her voice. She just nodded. She rushed into his arms, sobbing. How had they gotten to this place? “He’s back!” she cried. “God, Meek, what have I done?” He held her tightly and grit his teeth, palming the back of her head, pressing her into his body. They were tormented. “What have we done, Mo? Not just you. What have we done?” he said. “I’m dying!” Meek gripped the sides of her face and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Mo, I know what this means. He’s back and we can’t. We shouldn’t have in the first place.” Morgan wilted in his arms. “I’m so sorry!” “Shh.” She needed his consoling. She needed it so badly. “Stop, love.” “I can’t, Meek,” she sobbed. She was sucking in air. Hyperventilating. Panicking. “Meek, I can’t breathe.” “You can,” Meek st...