Illusive Eden - He Pretends He's the Hero

The loving home, the cottage that secured them on their misery and joy, they so tenderly drew on, they had to disheartenedly forsake. Of all the companions, close neighbours they made in Ziriri, they had to leave behind.

They were the birds, migrating; for if they don't fly away, the cold and harsh—winter frost could freeze and mow them down.

As the bright maple leaves fall off the twigs, so do their shadows from the once serene countryside. And just like that, their story in Ziriri; has come to an end.

They silently bid goodbyes, taking along sweet blessings, memories of delight and sorrow.

At two in the morning, they packed up incomplete baggages, drove the cab to the nearest train station, unfavourably; for it was far at the town outside of the countryside, and the airport even further downtown.

Booked two tickets, landed cozy seats. Swirling dawn, white misty haze, blurring the chasing trees, through the clear, glassed window of the fast running train she looks out from.

He looks at her hushed self, beside him—closed to the window, her eyes void of life. The sleeping baby lay in her lap, nestled in her warm embrace, he lightly squirms, tearing her eyes from the nature, and bringing back to him. Neva glances down at him, his eyes still closed, she gently pats his chest, lulling him back to sleep.

"Do you want me to hold him?" Rhett asks. Neva glances at him, she shakes her head in response. Little Rhean was calmly slumbering again, comforted in her safe embrace.

"We'll get off the next terminal, that's half an hour more, you can take a nap." He says, his heart hurting from her morose self. He hated it; seeing her so grey and sullen.

She didn't even ask: the destination to their new voyage.

"I'm fine." Neva replies, her gaze peering out the window once more.

A little boy giggling—races through the narrow aisle of the train. "Do not sprint!" A fair woman behind, she rushes after the bratty boy. Just then, reaching their row, abruptly, he tumbles down on the ground with a hard thump.

The woman gasps, "I told you to not run!" She scolds, speeding her strides. Rhett near the tripped boy, he helps him to arise.

The woman reaching them, she scrutinizes the boy for any injuries. She sighs, shaking her head, her son giving her a foolish smile. Her gaze lands on Rhett and the lady beside him with a child.

"Thank you," she says. He lightly nods at her in return. She then gestures to the kid, "You have to thank the uncle son," The boy smiles bright, "Thank you Uncle." He says, running away again, with the frazzled mother trailing behind.

"He reminds me of Noah. He could've been of the same age as him right?" Neva suddenly asks, her sight breaking from the fading boy—she glances at Rhett. He's stunned, her eyes looking through shadows of forlornness.

She had never mentioned Noah, following the incident on the cruise. Never did, Neva nor Rhett stir up a talk about the apocalypse in the ocean. It felt too heavy, and stabbing on her tongue to recall the mournful misery.

He didn't know what to say to her; so he kept quiet.

"Thankyou for everything, you made me so happy." She says, her eyes tangled with his mazed, frowning ones, tears streaming down her beautiful face.

"I love you, I love you both the most. And I'll always do." She smiles faintly.

"What are you saying Angel? You're scaring me." He says, his heart picking up pace, he dries her trickling tears with his thumb.

"I'm tired. I'll stay behind." She says. A stinging pain in his chest, her scars were always there, the unhealed wounds opening up again. Nerves numbed, the words were stucked up on his throat.

"How could you say that?" His face mires in devastation.

She peers down at her son, stroking his soft rounded cheek, earning a tiny movement from the tranquiled little boy. "Keep him close to you, and the nights you'll put him to sleep, tell him about me, even if it's just a whisper of my name." "Stop," He wraps his arms around her. "You're hurting me."

"I'll never let you leave me Neva. Never." A tear drops from his eye, his heart swelling up in dire. He's deeply afraid. His head resting on her shoulder, she leans her own over his, feathered over his now shortened hair.

"I'm sorry, I ruin everything for you, with me away–" She cuts her murmers short, for her heart aches sharply, it hurts to breathe, the bones gradually crumbling inside.

"Shh... don't say anything. I'll let nothing crumble our family, I promise." He says, tenderly intertwining their fingers.

"You'll always find me, in every beat of your kind heart. But I'll only let you walk with me till this sunrise." She says, gazing at the tangled fingers, squeezing softly as she threads their eyes.

"Our story was short; but this love will live on." She smiles shallowly.

She isn't aware, the words she whispers out—shattering his soul. Fate was cruel, perhaps it's the quote scarred in the book of life.

"I'll die without you," he tightens his grip around her, terrified if he let's go of her, she'll fade away like a dream. Leaving behind the floating dusts of his ashes, scattering from the burning soul of his.

"You'll live, you have to."

"You'll break down on the shore, leaving us both starving and parched as the boat sails away toward the torrent." He veins his emotions. "Rhett-" "If you stay behind, I'll do too." He dices her approaching words, his eyes boring deep into her rheumy ones.

"For better for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part, you'll forever find me bound to you.

I don't know about you, but I took it very serious when we said our marriage vows." He says, and a faint chuckle wafts out her lips.

"We can't keep running away forever, I'm afraid, one day you'll regret loving me."

She exhales out dejectedly, "I loom misery over you, there's no peace with me,"

"Every breath I take lives your name. You are my peace, my everything. You are all I have. I live in you, through you.

I'll war hell on them, nothing hurts you." His breath hovering over her quivering lips. He looks up at her, seeing those assured eyes.

Leaning in, their lids sealed, he kisses her sensually, slow and so deep—devouring her lips.

"You are mine. And I am yours. Don't ever say you'll leave me anymore."

He knots his feelings and verses together. And he'll destroy everything that drowns her in sorrow.