Mated With Five Boys

"Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them.Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it"- Rabindranath Tagore 

"What are you doing here?"

I quickly looked over, my panic fading.

"Making sure you stay out of trouble? Axel smirked over at me, the light from the flames bouncing off his face.

"I don't need a babysitter.’ I huffed out, looking away from him and at the fire.

"That's debatable."

He grunted.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

I asked, slightly offended.

"This place is crawling with Noah's men” He said lowly, his eyes focusing on the ground.

"You were worried about me."

I teased, looking over at him.

"Don't go getting a big head, it's not like we are friends or anything.'' He chuckled which caused his laugh lines to show.

"Right because you haven't spilled your guts yet"

I reminded him, Axel just rolled his eyes in response.

"Well, what do we have here?"

Axel's voice was laced with amusement.

My eyes followed to where Axel was looking and that's when I saw Kina and Rylan irrupting from the darkness the woods, holding hands.

Well that dirty scoundrel, no wonder I couldn't find him! I instantly jumped up to my feet at the sight of Rylan, I need his help with Camila.

If things were different I'd probably be more happy for him and Kina, but this was life or death.

"Woah, Woah, Woah."

Axel jumped up.

"Where are you going?"

He asked standing in front of me, blocking my path.

"Move, I need to talk to Rylan; I stated, trying to step around him but he just moved with me causing me to let out an irritated breath.

"You got me instead."

Axel huffed, his eyes turning into slits.

"I can't tell you! You've got to move, the longer I wait the worse it's going to get."

I wanted to smack his chest but I didn't.

"What are you talking about?"

His eyes searched my face looking for answers.

"Move!"

I hissed, stomping my foot on the dirt.

"Come with me first."

He stated, his eyes holding a mysterious glint.

"I can't"

I couldn't control the whine that escaped my throat.

"Please Mia.’ Axel's eyes bored into mine, his dark irises swirling with different emotions.

I looked over at Rylan and saw him laughing at something Kina had said, her eyes were shining bright with content.

I'll let them have just a few more moments of happiness.

I looked back over at Axel and gave in, I couldn't say no the look on his face.

"Just a few minutes, okay?"

I told him.

He nodded his head in agreement, grabbing my hand and hauling me somewhere into the darkness of the woods.

My hand tingled something that happened often when Axel touched me.

I followed Axel blindly into the tall trees, slapping branches out from my face from time to time.

I could barely see anything with the treetops blocking out most of the moonlight which caused me to stumble on fallen branches.

I now understand why everyone falls in horror movies, they can't freaking see anything.

"Where are we going?"

I asked him.

"We're almost there"

stated, striding effortlessly in the

not exactly the answer I was looking for’ I said

right

any, he

saw that he had taken me to another clearing, a little higher than where

the ledge that

slightly, keeping a

breathing was labored and I think Axel

this was way worse

gently on my hand, sending me to the ground where he

"Look up.’ He whispered.

my eyes were only trained to

at the sky

tore my eyes away from the ledge and forced

sight in front of me, my stomach dropping

be at least a million stars shining above me, the

breathtaking, I've never seen

gaze with all city lights but here, in the middle of

read that you use to go outside with your mom and look at the stars,

muttered, staring at

it here; I whispered,

sorry, for you know, everything.’ He spoke, looking down

you did wasn't okay.’ I

"But, I forgive you."

looked over

want you to

I finished.

looking up from his hands to

"Where do I begin?"

He thought out loud.

from the beginning’ I joked, trying to

just gave me a look

to me.’ Axel furrowed his eyebrows, looking straight

what people have told me before I was born my parents

just boughten their first house with a baby boy on the way’ Axel

pregnancy something happens

details are fuzzy because no one really talked about her it was like

couldn't save her: I watched

to tell me any more,’’ I whispered, I knew how

relive the pain he felt growing

to drugs and alcohol, he felt

me without seeing the product of the devil, but I think it was more of the fact every time he looked at me he

he never came to see me, not once.I only know because my aunt, my mother's sister, was there everyday and she told me when I was

I was stuck living with my father, I'd probably be dead if it wasn't for his girlfriend at the time, she would feed me and even sometimes

old enough to start school, that's when the beatings began.He would get wasted and come home swinging pretty much every night.He

just bring me right back, so I started fighting back.I would punch, kick, bite, and scratch

the third hospital visit I was taken away from him and put into foster care, I think I was around eight.I was in and out what felt like hundred houses because I was the "problem kid"that

He shook his head.

treated her like shit, I tried to break her, make her ship me off to another home but she never did.She dealt with

started talking about his

watery and my heart shattered to a thousand

found myself wrapping my arms around him, pulling

say to make him feel better so I just hugged him as hard as I

I could put his broken pieces

suffocating

tried peeling himself

I mumbled, instantly backing away from

your body

me to roll

Stupid Axel.

mom, cancer is unforgiving” Axel

nodded my head agreeing

are young or old, what color your skin is, your choice in religion, or the people that

her body stopped reacting to the medication; I explained,

us before

"That's so fucked"

He said angrily.

make us friends

smiled teasingly, looking

you? Never.’ He gave me a dirty look but I heard

"You're right, that's absurd."

I played along.

eyes wandered back

when Camila flooded

got to help Camila.’ I rushed out and instantly realized

was the only one who

have probably gone to Axel

"And Angelo."

I put in.

"Why?"

me a

all over

"He hit her Axel,"

my voice

on her

you tell

Axel yelled, standing up.

life if anyone from your gang got