Ember
I stood silent. I wasn’t even sure where to begin. I had no idea how they had even found out. I told no one my true identity and I was sure that no one had any documents on me here, other than what I gave.
” Well”, Seth said to me, annoyance on his face was evident. I walked past him and sat down. I was already thinking in my head what to say. I couldn’t tell them the truth. There was no way I wanted them involved in my issues. I would rather be fired on the spot.
” What do you want me to say? I lied on my resume? Yes. I did. I have a complicated history that is no one’s business but my own, but apparently , it seems to be out in the open now”, I told Seth before looking at Carter. He didn’t look upset. More concern. He wanted to know me, but I couldn’t allow it.
” So your real name is indeed Ember Maze?” Seth asked , leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. I shouldn’t be surprised they would dig me up after finding out I lied, but just how much did they know?
” Yes. It is, ” I said.
” Why did you really come to Miami, Ember?”, Carter asked. There was so much compassion in his eyes, It literally made me want to crawl into his arms and cry.
” I have an abusive ex-boyfriend. His name is Ryder. I heard you mention his name, so you must know who he is”, I told them. Carter nodded.
” He abused you?”, Carter asked, and I nodded.
“The only things fake on my resume were my last name, school, and the state I lived in. I cooked for a family. His family. I attended the Tallahassee school of Arts. I completed two years there, which was paid by my father before he died in a crash. I was taking care of my mother who was paralyzed in the accident. I got a job at a cafe. It was where Ryder found me. I witnessed him hurting my boss at the time, and he threatened me and my mother with death if I didn’t work with him”, I explained. My eyes started to tear up when I mentioned my mother.
” Continue, please,” Carter said, with a smile on his face.
“I worked for Ryder for a year. We started a relationship during that time. I was never really in love with him, but I did come to care for him in a way. He helped me pay for school and my mother’s bills. She even had a nurse to take care of her. He assigned Lamonte to watch over me as a personal guard. Something about spies . I was grateful. He hit me one time during an argument, but he promised not to do it again.
We had an argument a few weeks ago, where he hit me again, and later that night I had a dream about my mother. I saw before on the news that mountain wolves were killing people inside their homes, and I pray I was there when it happened. Maybe I could have changed her fate”, I said, zoning out.
” What happened?”, Seth asked. If I were paying attention, I would have noticed his voice had become a bit softer. A lone tear escaped my eye. My emotions were betraying me. I wiped it quickly, not wanting to break down.
” I went to her house the next morning and….. It was like some beast had just broken through her window and ripped her apart. Literally ripped her apart. Her blood… was all over the walls…. Her body parts were… scattered. It was the most horrifying thing I had ever seen…. Lamonte helped me bury her and when Ryder left on business, Lamonte drove me away, telling me Ryder was behind it all. Something about Ryder killing Lamonte’s girlfriend, and he is obsessed with me.
Lamonte handed me your flier and a go bag. He told me to mention him to you as Seal. Lamonte then started talking in midair. Something along the lines of revenge for Vicky and then he shot himself in the head. I took the car he left me and I came here, and found the apartment I’m in. That is pretty much how I got here”, I said. I stood up then.
” Now you know my sad, tragic background. With that being said, I have to go. I’m sorry” I said. I walked to the door but it was blocked by Seth.
” Where are you going?”, he asked me. His eyes were narrowed again but I saw a little worry in them as well. He was so fucking complicated.
” Move, please Mr. Lightwood. Now that my secret is out, I have to go back to my apartment. If you could find out the truth about me in less than a day, it’s only a matter of time before Ryder or his goons find me and force me back to Tallhassesee. Ryder does not let anything go. ” I said.
” He isn’t gonna fucking touch you”, Seth growled. The growl in his voice sounded dangerously close to Ryder’s, and I was terrified for a moment. I backed away, watching his eyes turn from golden brown to almost all black. Ryder’s eyes did that. What was happening?
” Seth, take a walk. I will handle this from here”, I heard Carter say. I couldn’t keep my eyes off Seth. I felt as if I turned my eyes from him, he would hit me or something.
” Now Seth”, Carter yelled at him. Seth’s eyes narrowed again at me, then to Carter before storming out of the room.
” What the fuck was that?” I asked Carter, turning to him. He stood up and pulled me in his arms, hugging me.
” I believe he is just upset at your situation, as am I. I wish you would have told us this instead of us having to find this out on our own”, Carter said. I put my head on his shoulder. His hug was warm and inviting. Comforting.
“I couldn’t. It is my past to bear”, I told him.
” It’s not. There are many things that you don’t know about. I believe you were always destined to make your way here. To us.”, he said. He was starting to sound funny.
” What do you mean?”, I asked him.
” Come, there is something I need to show you”, he said. I looked at him for a moment before taking his hand and we left.