Safe&Sound OS (Viraat and Maanvi) A Note page 3

No more running. No where to run. No hope of escaping. And yet I whispered, 

'I'll keep you safe'

She nodded taking my hand in to hers, as we slid deep under the blanket which stood as our only cover.

My eyes started to sting; my nostrils flared; something was burning. 

I pulled her closer; fear never unsettled me before as it did now. Every nerve, every cell, every sense was on alert. They were coming closer, the burning now so dangerously filled the air that it swarmed in through my airways and blocked up my lungs. 

It was the burning of the flames from their torches. 

'Viraat,' she whimpered. 

I didn't need to look at her to know that tears streamed down her cheeks; to know that her lips quivered; to know that she was frightened out of her wits. 

I hushed her slowly, 'You'll be alright.'

Dead bodies flashed before my eyes. The corpses which were made, and the lives of which were lost in this brutal war of give and take. 

I remembered she once said, 'Don't you ever leave me here alone.'

Did it matter that I vowed to never let her go? What if I let myself go instead? 

'Are they coming?'

Her alarmed voice brought me back. 

'Just close your eyes,' I said reassuringly, my gaze steady on the door. 

They would enter any minute now and I had nothing but my bare fists to protect her with. I pulled her closer to me, using my body to shield her entirely. Her warmth instantly radiated in to mine and the iciness which once made up the very insides of my body melted in her embrace. 

Only she had enough warmth to do that. Only she had enough love to turn the venom which ran through my veins in to blood. She was enough; 

To make me love her.

And I knew if I had to die to protect her,

I would.

Footsteps were nearing; my grip around her tightened. Raged voices were booming and I knew I had no choice.

I finally posited my gaze on her. My hands traced every part of her face; from her forehand, down her cheekbone, up to her eyes then back down her nose and finally to the bridge above her lips. 

'Maanvi,' I murmured.

Her eyes stayed shut as I leaned towards her lips. I called out her name again, this time in desperation, but she kept her eyes shut. I took hold of her neck delicately and placed my lips on hers. 

I kissed her tenderly, not harshly. I didn't want to regret what I was about to do next.

She held on to me, and I felt her tears trace its way down my hand. I released myself from her before it became to difficult to let go. 

I looked at her face, her eyes still closed. 'No one can hurt you now,' I promised. 

I stood up just as her eyelids begun to flutter. Without looking back at her, I lifted the blanket off me but still made sure she was covered.

The door bang open and the Prowarriors barged in. 

'Looking for me?' I challenged. 

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