Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara pushed herself to her feet, swallowing nervously. "Someone gave it to me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dylan stared at the photo for a long moment. Without a word, he pulled out his lighter and flicked it on.

As the flame flared, Clara reached out, trying to stop him, but he just looked at her and asked, "Who gave it to you? When did this happen?"

Something about him tonight sent a chill through her. She took a step back, heart pounding.

The fire crept higher, almost burning his fingers, but he didn't even flinch. He just watched her. "Answer me."

Clara pressed her lips together and looked down. "I don't know who. A few days ago."

He let out a dry, humorless laugh and flicked the smoldering remains away. "A few days ago?"

So she'd been hiding it all this time. No wonder she'd seemed distracted lately, like something was weighing on her. It was because of this.

Even in her sleep, she called out someone else's name.

So that's what it was.

Losing her memory couldn't erase it.

Growing up didn't help either.

It was like that person was carved into her bones, and Dylan realized, no matter what he did, he could never cut him out.

Seeing how much this hurt him made Clara's chest ache. She didn't even really know why she'd hidden the photo in the first place.

don't be mad." She tried to comfort him, but he just stared

night sky, bright enough

sarcasm, the bitterness, the

hurt most: "Why

things, but in the end, it

stepped closer, cupping his face in her hands. "I didn't mean to hide it. I just... I

fingertips brushed his lips. They

shudder, and she pulled

another chance,

Inen

spinning. Dylan turned away from her, standing ramrod straight. "You're not the only one who lost

stood there, rubbing her forehead, then hurried after

into the

the bed, only raising her head when the sound of running

door slid open. Dylan came out in his pajamas, hair wet, droplets

his face

reached

"Dylan―"

Bang!

His fist

ammed into the picture

on the wall. His hair

water pooling at

love me. You