If We Disappear Here

by Mindy Hayes

My second set of lungs, my second heart. My life support. Taking her waist in my arms, I hoist her up with every ounce of strength I have left. I’ve never hugged a human being so tight, but she’s still not close enough. Burying my face in the crook of her neck, I breathe her in. Cheap soap and Maeve. With that one inhale, my chest swells with fresh oxygen.

Holding his stare, I say, “I grew up on Rosewood Lane. I love ’90s rap. And if we happen to get out of here alive, I’ll be able to live without you.” Ledger’s gaze deepens and flares. Even though we’ve gone to hell and back together, he’s given me light when there has been none. Functioning in the outside world without him would be near impossible. Good thing we’ll never find out. He licks his chapped lips, intense yet soft green eyes roaming my face. “My name is Ledger Abbott. I’ve been held captive by a madman for what feels like a lifetime. And I’m not in love with you.”

“Now that I know Rebecca is not who I thought she was and Ashton is no longer in the picture, I don’t feel remorse confessing… I said your name that day because I couldn’t imagine living without you. I still can’t. I’ve stayed away for your sake, to respect Ashton, but there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t wanted to storm your house and steal you for myself.”

“Two Truths and a Lie?” she asks in a rasp, and I nod. “I’ve wanted to call you every day since that night, but after everything I didn’t know what to say. As soon as I saw you standing in the doorway of this house, it took every ounce of self-control not to run and jump into your arms. And the moment we left that concrete room, I stopped loving you.”