Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

19. Chapter 19

Chapter nineteen

Raven

W hen I peel my eyes open, the scenery that I’m met with is unfamiliar. The fog of my hangover looms over me as I push up from the plush bed I’m lying on. I wouldn’t have a clue of where I am, but when the scent of Locke’s cologne fills my nostrils, I know.

The room is simple. A large king size bed is beneath me, a tall dresser across the room, and another matching one on the other side. It’s masculine. Just like him, and dark enough to have a mysterious vibe. Again, like him.

“You’re awake.”

I twist to see him entering the room, holding a bottle of water and some Tylenol.

I vaguely remember leaving the apartment this morning, and from the looks of the bay window in his room, it’s getting closer to evening.

“How bad was it?” I ask.

He takes a seat, the bed dipping with his weight. “It wasn’t bad. You just looked like a typical college student coming to class with a hangover.”

I nod, taking the Tylenol from his hand.

“Is this a normal thing for you?” He twists the water bottle open and hands it to me. “Coming to class drunk?”

I guess this is the part where I tell him about why I’m even here.

“It’s happened before,” I answer before popping the pills into my mouth.

“You don’t have to tell me if you aren’t ready.” I feel his hand grip my calf, squeezing gently. “I know you’re struggling, but you don’t have to carry that burden alone.”

“You going to help me carry it? You can’t even speak to me in public if we aren’t in class.” I shake my head.

“Raven…”

“Why did you bring me here?” I ask.

He caresses my leg again. “You needed me.”

The answer is so simple. So mundane. I don’t think anyone in my life for the last three months has actually saw what I was going through. Saw that I needed someone to guide me through the guilt. The grief.

“Once the sadness wore off, I’ve just been angry,” I admit. “I’m so angry that it was her. It should have been me.”

He places the bottle of water on the end table, followed by the Tylenol, then he climbs up next to me. Opening his massive arms, he motions with his chin for me to relax back onto his chest.

“Talk to me.”

I let out a deep breath and close my eyes. I haven’t told this story to anyone except the police and my parents.

“I had an assignment from my photography professor to create something in nature. Not something typical, but unique.”

His hand brushes down my forearm, then he links his fingers with mine. “Not many storms pass through New York, so when the forecast called for one, I had this crazy idea to catch the storm in action. The lightening. The rain. The clouds.”

I pause when I feel his lips ghost across my temple. “Bethany thought it was a bad idea, but she was my ride or die, so she went with me. I didn’t anticipate the amount of rain. We hiked up to the highest point at Hollow View Park. I was able to get my shots, but before we could hike down, the wind had picked up and the rain was overwhelming.”

His lips press softly against my skin, keeping me in the moment. I’m here. In his bed. Not on that hillside. Not failing my best friend.

“I lost my footing.” I feel my throat tighten. “I almost went over the edge, but Bethany stopped me, and in turn, lost her own footing. The rain made the rocks slick, and the darkness of the clouds made it hard to see.”

“Jesus…” he mutters.

“I caught her upper arm.” I close my eyes.

I can still picture the fear on her face. The panic in her green eyes. “I tried. I tried to hold on as long as I could.” Tears well in my eyes as I blink them away. “But the rain made her skin slick, and she was dangling off the edge of the cliff.”

I feel both of his arms wrap around me. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“I held on for what felt like hours, trying to pull her up with everything I had, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t save her.” A sob rips from my throat. “At the end, she had tears in her eyes when our fingers where the only thing holding us together.”

I’ll never forget her last words.

It’s ok, Raven. It’s ok to let me go.

When I’m spun around, it’s only then I realize tears are pouring from my eyes, my cries echoing around the room.

“I got you," he whispers in my ear. “You can let go with the me, Rae.”

Choking out another sob, I wind my arms around his neck, while my legs straddle his lap. The feel of his palm smoothing over my back brings a comfort I’ve longed for. Needed.

“It’s not fair,” I say.

“I know.” He holds me tighter.

I don’t know if I’m talking about Bethany or him. Either way, I feel he understands.

“The guilt will eat you alive. You have to forgive yourself, Raven. I’m certain she’s already forgiven you.”

If only it were that easy.