Chapter 71
Gabriel's grip was firm but careful as he helped Lily to her feet. She wobbled slightly, the soreness from the fall settling deep in her bones, but she pushed through it. Gabriel kept a steadying hand on her waist until she found her balance, his eyes flickering to her injured wrist with concern.
"You're good?" he asked, his voice gentler than she expected.
Lily tested her footing, inhaling sharply at the dull ache radiating through her body. "Yeah," she muttered, shaking out her good hand. "I'm fine."
Gabriel didn't look convinced, but he nodded anyway, adjusting his stance to stay close beside her. "Alright, let's move. We need to find the trail before it gets too dark."
They started forward, weaving through the dense trees, searching for anything that resembled a familiar path. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, the distant chirping of birds the only sound filling the silence between them. Lily was still catching her breath when something suddenly struck her.
Her bracelet.
Her heart skipped as she glanced down at her wrist, only to find it bare.
Panic clawed at her chest. "WaitâGabriel, stop."
Gabriel tensed immediately, turning to face her. "What?"
"My bracelet," she breathed, frantically scanning the ground around her. "It's gone."
Gabriel frowned. "What bracelet?"
"The one Jake gave me," she explained, already turning back toward the hill. "It must've fallen off when we tumbled down."
Gabriel's expression darkened. "Lilyâ"
"I have to go back and find it," she cut him off, already taking a step toward the slope. But before she could move any farther, Gabriel's hand caught her arm, stopping her in her tracks.
"That's a bad idea," he said firmly.
Lily scowled. "Gabriel, it was a gift. I can't just leave it."
"You can and you will," he shot back, his grip tightening slightly. "We don't have time to search for a bracelet. We need to get back before it gets dark."
"Butâ"
"And it might rain," he added, gesturing toward the sky, where thick gray clouds were beginning to roll in over the treetops. "If the ground gets any worse, we'll have even bigger problems than a missing bracelet."
Lily swallowed hard, her pulse hammering against her throat. She knew Gabriel was right. They were still lost, they still had to find Alexa, and now they had to beat the rain, too.
She clenched her jaw, feeling frustration coil in her chest. "Fine," she muttered, forcing herself to turn away from the hill. "Let's go."
Gabriel exhaled, watching her closely before giving a small nod. "Good choice, angel."
She didn't respond, her heart still heavy as they continued forward, but Gabriel stayed close beside her, making sure she didn't fall behind. And even as they pushed onward, her mind lingered on that bracelet, lost somewhere at the bottom of the hill.
As they moved through the trees and the sun began to slowly lower in the sky, Lily cast a wary glance over her shoulder, her skin still crawling from their too-close encounter with the bear cub. Her pulse had settled, but a lingering unease remained.
"Why were there bears so close to the trail?" she finally asked, her voice quieter than usual.
Gabriel didn't hesitate. "Human food," he said simply, stepping over a fallen branch.
Lily frowned. "What do you mean?"
Gabriel shot her a look, as if the answer should've been obvious. "Campgrounds attract them. People leave trash behindâfood scraps, wrappers, anything that smells. Bears aren't stupid. They know an easy meal when they smell one."
Lily shuddered. "That's terrifying."
"Not really," Gabriel shrugged. "They don't usually come near people unless they've gotten used to eating human food. If campers are careless and don't secure their garbage, it teaches the bears to associate people with food, which makes them bolder."
Lily groaned, rubbing her arms as a chill ran down her spine. "Great. So you're telling me some idiot left food out, and now there are bears wandering around, thinking we're a drive-thru?"
Gabriel smirked. "Pretty much."
Lily huffed, stepping over a rock carefully. "Fantastic."
Gabriel glanced at her, his expression amused. "Relax, angel. As long as we don't surprise another one, we'll be fine."
She shot him a glare. "Easy for you to say. You weren't the one who almost tumbled into a bear's personal space."
Gabriel chuckled, his fingers briefly brushing her arm in reassurance. "Fair point."
Lily exhaled and continued forward. The humid air felt heavier with each step, pressing down on her chest. Her arms ached from the scratches, and her wrist throbbed in dull, persistent pain. Dizziness crept in at the edges of her vision, making the uneven ground blur beneath her feet. She swallowed against the dryness in her throat, but it did little to ease the growing discomfort. The silence between them stretched, broken only by the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot.
"I don't mean to be a pain but can you pick up your pace a little," Gabriel asked after a while. "Alexa and Jake are still missing, remember?"
"And so are we, Gabriel," Lily muttered.
Gabriel sighed, raking a hand through his damp hair. "Yeah, but at least we know where we are. They could be in real trouble."
Lily nodded and quickened her steps, even as her body protested. "I'm just saying, we're not exactly in the best shape either." She gestured to her scratched-up arms and the dirt smudging her legs. "And in case you forgot, my wrist is killing me."
Gabriel glanced at her wrist, his jaw tightening. "I didn't forget." His voice was softer now, less impatient. "I just don't want to waste time. The sun's gonna set soon, and if it rains, the trails will get even worse."
Lily exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling up. "I get it, okay? But maybe if we weren't half-limping through the woods, we'd be moving faster."
Gabriel stopped abruptly, turning to face her. His dark eyes locked onto hers, and for a second, she thought he was about to argue. But then he just shook his head. "Fine. Let's take a quick break."
Lily blinked, caught off guard by his sudden shift. "Wait, really?"
"Yeah." Gabriel stepped toward her, his gaze flickering over her face. "You look like you're about to drop, and I don't need you passing out on me."
Lily huffed but didn't argue. She sank down onto a fallen log, stretching her aching legs while Gabriel crouched beside her, scanning the trees.
After a moment of silence, she glanced at him. "You're worried."
Gabriel didn't look at her, but his jaw clenched. "Yeah, obviously. I'm sure Mason is worried about you too right now."
Lily swallowed, her earlier irritation fading. "We'll find them."
He finally met her gaze. "Yeah," he murmured. "I knnow."
The woods around them seem to be holding it's breath. Lily and Gabriel allowed themselves a few more minutes to gather their energy. Every time Gabriel looked at Lily, he wished he could teleport her back to the camp. He did his best to keep them moving at a reasonable pace. Gabriel knew too much stress could cause her another seizure. But for her sake and for Alexa's sake, he knew he needed to keep them moving.
As the pair stand catching their breath, a low rumble of thunder rolled in the distance, making Lily glance up. The sky, once streaked with fading sunlight, was now a heavy sheet of gray. The air felt thick, charged, the scent of rain clinging to the wind.
Gabriel followed her gaze. "We need to move," he said, rising to his feet. "This trail is longer."
Lily pushed herself up, ignoring the dull ache in her limbs. "Let's go."
Gabriel watched Lily closely, his concern growing with every uneven breath she took. Her face was pale, her damp hair clinging to her skin, and he could see the exhaustion settling deep in her bones. Every step she took looked like it cost her more strength than she had left. His grip on his frustration tightenedâhe didn't want to push her too hard, but stopping wasn't an option.
They pressed forward, their pace quickening as the first droplets of rain began to fall, cool against their overheated skin. The forest darkened around them, the thick canopy overhead doing little to shield them from the growing storm. The wind picked up, rustling through the trees, and another crack of thunder split the sky.
Then the rain came.
It wasn't a light drizzle but a sudden, torrential downpour, drenching them in seconds. The dirt beneath their feet turned slick, making each step treacherous.
"Oh, what the fuck?" Lily shouted, unable to control her emotions any longer. "Are you kidding me? This is just fabulous! Fuckin' hell, I hate camping! Why am I here?"
Gabriel reached for Lily's arm, steadying her. "Stay close," he said over the roar of the storm. "We'll almost there."
"No, we're not!" Lily stopped moving. "Do you even know where we are or where we're going? This is ridiculous. We should have never done this!"
Gabriel turned to her, rain streaming down his face, his patience hanging by a thread. "Lily, I know you're pissed, but standing here yelling isn't going to help." His voice was firm but not unkind. "We have to keep moving."
Lily let out a frustrated breath, wiping at her soaked face, though it did little good. "I can't believe this," she muttered, shaking her head. "We're lost, it's pouring, my wrist is killing me, and Alexa is still God knows where. And you keep acting like we have this under control!"
Gabriel's jaw tightened. "Because I have to," he shot back. "If I let myself freak out, what good does that do either of us?"
Lily stared at him, her chest rising and falling with quick, shallow breaths. Her whole body trembled, whether from the cold or exhaustion, he wasn't sure.
Gabriel exhaled sharply, his grip on her arm tightening just a little. "I know this sucks, okay? But we don't have time to stop. We stick to the trail, keep moving, and we'll find our way back. I promise."
Lily looked away, biting her lip. For a moment, Gabriel thought she was going to keep arguing, but then she gave a small nod, her shoulders slumping.
"Fine," she muttered. "Let's just get this over with."
Relieved, Gabriel adjusted his hold on her, guiding her forward.
But as they continued a few more meters, the storm only worsened, the wind howling through the trees, bending branches until they creaked under the strain. Rain pelted down in relentless sheets, turning the narrow trail into a treacherous, muddy mess. Every step was a battle against the slick ground, their shoes sinking into the wet earth.
Gabriel cursed under his breath as his foot nearly slid out from under him. He tightened his grip on Lily's arm, steadying both of them.
"This is getting dangerous," he muttered, glancing around for any sort of cover. The rain blurred his vision, but up ahead, a small overhang of rock jutted out from the hillside, partially shielded by a cluster of trees. "This way. Let's see if the rain slows down in a bit."
Lily let out a sharp, breathless laugh, shaking her head. "Oh, now you want to stop?" she scoffed. "I thought we had to keep moving. Isn't that what you just said?"
Gabriel clenched his jaw, his patience wearing dangerously thin. "Yeah, well, that was before the trail turned into a goddamn slip-and-slide." He gestured to the mud pooling beneath their feet. "If we keep going like this, one of us is going to break something, and I'd rather not have to carry you back to camp with broken bones."
Lily rolled her eyes but didn't argue further. Her breath came out in short, tired bursts, her soaked clothes clinging to her like a second skin. She was exhaustedâhe could see it in the way she swayed slightly, in the way her fingers trembled as she pushed her wet hair out of her face.
Gabriel sighed, lowering his voice. "Just for a little while. Let's wait for the worst of it to pass."
Lily exhaled and finally nodded. "Fine. But if a bear comes looking for shelter too, that's on you."
Gabriel huffed a small laugh, guiding her toward the rock overhang as thunder cracked overhead.
__________________
Mason and Wendy
The rain poured down in thick, relentless sheets, drumming against the large umbrellas held by the park rangers. Mason stood rigid, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he watched them speak into their radios, their expressions grim. His soaked hoodie clung to his frame, his dark hair dripping rain onto his forehead, but he didn't care. His jaw was clenched so tightly it ached, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
"No trace of them," Mason muttered, barely restraining the panic creeping into his voice. "It's been hours."
Wendy, standing beside him, reached out and touched his arm gently. "They'll be okay," she reassured him, though her own stomach twisted with unease. "Gabriel's with her. He's smart, and he wouldn't let anything happen to Lily."
Mason exhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring. "That doesn't mean shit, Wendy. They're lost in the middle of a damn storm. What if sheâ"
He cut himself off, shaking his head as if trying to physically shove away the horrible thoughts clawing at his mind.
Wendy tightened her grip on his arm. "Don't do that. Don't go to the worst possible scenario. They're strong, and we have people looking for them." She nodded toward the rangers, who were now discussing a possible search route. "They'll find them."
Mason turned toward her, his dark eyes stormy with worry. "She's my little sister," he said, his voice raw. "I was supposed to be watching over her."
Wendy's chest ached at the pain in his voice. She squeezed his arm again, firmer this time.
"She's not a little kid, Mason," she said. "Right now, we need to trust them. Lily's tough. She's going to make it back."
Mason swallowed hard, his gaze flickering toward the dark tree line beyond the camp. His fists tightened at his sides. He wanted to believe Wendy, but with every passing second, the storm only grew worse.
A few feet away, the rangers thanked Jake and Alexa for their time and turned toward their own group, leaving the pair to walk back toward Mason and Wendy. They hurried through the downpour, their rain jackets doing little to shield them from the relentless storm. Jake's face was tight with frustration, his soaked hair plastered to his forehead.
"Where the hell could she be?" Jake muttered, his voice sharp with worry. "Why was she even with Gabriel?"
Mason exhaled, trying to keep his emotions in check. "They were looking for you and Alexa. We all were."
Jake cursed under his breath, dragging a hand down his rain-slicked face. "She never should've gone with him. She should have stayed with you or with Wendy." His fists clenched. "This is exactly why I didn't want her around him. He is trouble."
Wendy, standing between them, scowled. "Blaming Gabriel isn't helping right now." She rolled her eyes before turning to Alexa, her expression tense. "Are you sure you didn't see anything on your way back? Any sign of where they might've gone?"
Alexa shivered, hugging herself despite the damp heat of the storm. "No," she said, shaking her head. "I was too freaked out because of the bears. IâI wasn't paying attention to anything else." Guilt flickered across her face. "I just ran. I didn't know they were looking for us."
Jake's jaw tightened, his frustration barely contained. He turned toward the rangers and shouted over the downpour.
"Anything?" He asked. "How much longer before you send someone to look for them?"
The rangers exchanged glances before one of them spoke. "We're working on it. But with this storm, it's going to be dangerous. We need to wait for a break in the weather before sending a search team."
Jake's nostrils flared. "We don't have time to wait!"
Wendy reached for his arm, her grip firm. "We need to trust them," she said, echoing her earlier words to Mason. "They'll find Lily and Gabriel."
But as thunder rumbled overhead and the storm continued to rage, even Wendy wasn't sure if she believed that.
_____________________
Lily and Gabriel
The forest was pitch black, the kind of darkness that swallowed everything whole. Lily hugged her knees to her chest, shivering as dampness clung to her skin. The air smelled like wet earth and moss, thick with the scent of rain. Every now and then, a gust of wind sent a spray of cold droplets through the opening of the small overhang of rocks, making her flinch.
Gabriel sat beside her, so close that his arm brushed against hers every time he shifted. The only sound between them was their uneven breathing, and for once, Lily didn't have the energy to break the silence. She was too drained, too cold.
"Don't fall asleep," Gabriel murmured suddenly, his voice low but firm.
Lily blinked, pulling herself out of the sluggish haze creeping over her.
"You might have a concussion." Gabriel's tone left no room for argument. "You hit your head when you fell, remember?"
Lily sighed, tilting her head back against the cool rock behind her. "I remember." Her body felt heavy, exhausted, but she forced her eyes to stay open. She let out a quiet, humorless laugh.
"What's so funny?" Gabriel asked.
"Stuck in the dark," Lily answered. "Soaked, lost in the woods. Best camping trip ever."
Gabriel huffed in amusement, but it didn't quite reach his voice. "Yeah, well, try not to pass out from excitement."
Lily smirked faintly, but it faded as another shiver ran through her. The night felt endless, the darkness pressing in on all sides. She felt Gabriel shift slightly, his warmth brushing against her once more, and for a brief moment, she focused on that instead of the cold.
But after some time, Lily's head began to drop slightly, her body growing sluggish. Just as her eyes started to flutter shut, a sharp nudge against her side startled her awake.
"Hey." Gabriel's voice was firm, his shoulder bumping against hers. "I said don't fall asleep."
Lily groaned, lifting her head with great effort. "I'm awake," she mumbled, though she knew he wasn't buying it.
"Yeah, sure you are." Gabriel shifted, angling toward her slightly. He could barely make out her face in the darkness. "Tell me something about yourself."
Lily frowned, her brows knitting together. "What?"
"Something. Anything. Childhood, hobbies, weird fun factsâI don't care. Just talk," Gabriel said. "It'll help you stay up."
She huffed, rubbing her arms against the cold. "Gabriel, I don't think this is the time toâ"
"Lily." His tone was insistent, leaving no room for argument. "You need to stay awake. Please.... Talk to me."
Lily sighed, her brain sluggishly searching for something to say. "I... I used to have a pet turtle when I was little. His name was Bubbles."
Gabriel let out a short breath, almost like a laugh. "Bubbles? Really?"
"Yes, really," she muttered. "I was five. I thought it was a great name."
Gabriel hummed. "What happened to him?"
"He ran away."
Gabriel scoffed. "Turtles don't run, angel."
"Well, mine did," she shot back. "One day, I woke up, and his tank was empty. We searched the whole house, and he was just... gone. I cried for a week."
"Damn. That's tragic," Gabriel said, the amusement in his voice barely hidden.
Lily smirked faintly. "It was."
A crack of lightning flashed through the skies and momentarily lit up the forest. Lily catching Gabriel's brown eyes and the small smile on his lips before the world was plunged into darkness once again.
"Your turn," she said. "Tell me something about you."
Gabriel was quiet for a beat before sighing, "Mmmm.... I got into my first fight when I was eleven."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Eleven?"
"Yeah." He paused, then added, "Some kid at school was making fun of my mom. I broke his nose."
Lily blinked, surprised by the bluntness of his confession. "Did you get in trouble?"
"Of course. But it was worth it."
She studied his silhouette in the darkness. "What else?" she asked.
Gabriel smirked slightly. "Now you're interested?"
"I need to stay awake, don't I?"
He chuckled under his breath. "Alright, princess. I hope you're ready because I've got a lot of stories."
"Good," Lily said.
"What do you want to hear about?" Gabriel asked. "My first crush, the time I broke my arm, summer camp?"
"Tell me about your dad," Lily said quietly, drawing her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them.
Gabriel fell silent. The sound of the rain hammering against the rock above them filled the space between them, but Lily could feel the shift in the air. She hadn't meant to ask something so heavy, but now that the words were out, she didn't want to take them back.
After a few seconds, Gabriel exhaled slowly. "He was a really good man."
His voice was steady, but there was something distant about it, like he was sifting through memories he didn't bring up often. Lily rested her chin on her knees, listening.
"He worked a lot, but when he was home, he made sure he was present in the moment," Gabriel smiled. "One of our favorite things was room picnics."
Lily lifted her head slightly. "Room picnics?"
"Yeah," he said, the ghost of a smirk in his voice. "We had them inside. In my room or Alexa's room. Every week one of us got to host it. He'd let us pack all the foodâwhatever we wanted. No rules. Just us, sitting on a blanket in the middle of the floor, eating snacks and telling stupid stories."
Lily smiled at the image, picturing a younger Gabriel and Alexa excitedly gathering whatever random things they could find in the kitchen. "That sounds really sweet."
Gabriel nodded. "It was. We looked forward to it every time. Mom hated it because we'd always pick the worst combinationsâOreos with cheese, crackers dipped in juice, cold spaghetti straight from the fridge."
Lily made a face. "That's disgusting."
Gabriel let out a quiet laugh. "Yeah, it was. But we didn't care. It was fun." His voice softened. "And then, one day, he just... wasn't there anymore."
Lily's chest tightened. "I'm sorry."
He didn't respond right away. Then, in a quieter voice, he said, "We never had another one after that."
Lily reached out before she could think twice about it, her fingers lightly brushing against his hand in the darkness. "Maybe you should. You and Alexa and your mom."
Gabriel swallowed, and for a second, she thought he might pull away. But he didn't. He shifted slightly, just enough that their arms remained pressed together, his warmth grounding her.
"I don't know," Gabriel exhaled, tilting his head back against the rock behind him. The darkness made it easier to talk, like he wasn't really saying these things out loud, like they wouldn't follow him once the storm passed.
"Alexa and I... we're not like we used to be," he admitted. "We used to be close. She followed me everywhere when we were kids. Drove me crazy sometimes." A faint chuckle escaped him, but there was no real humor in it. "Now it feels like we don't even speak the same language anymore."
Lily listened, her fingers still resting lightly against his hand.
"I see the way you are with your brother," Gabriel continued. "There's something solid there. It's not like that with Alexa and me anymore. I don't even know when it changed. Maybe when we got older, or maybe I just stopped paying attention." His voice dropped. "I don't know how to fix it."
Lily hesitated before speaking. "Maybe you should stop trying to control what she does, who she dates, or what she wears."
Gabriel scoffed, shaking his head. "That's not it. Alexa makes reckless decisions. She trusts the wrong people. She gets herself into situations she can't handle, and then I have to pick up the pieces." His jaw tightened. "I don't want to control her. I just don't want to watch her get hurt."
Lily was quiet for a moment. Then, gently, she said, "Maybe that's why she pulls away. No one wants to feel like they're always being watched like they can't make mistakes without someone hovering over them."
Gabriel didn't respond right away. His fingers twitched under Lily's before he turned his hand and laced his fingers through hers.
"Her mistakes are not very dangerous," he said.
"What do you mean?"
Gabriel let out a slow breath, his grip tightening around Lily's hand. "She was with a drug dealer when she was still sixteen," he said, his voice rough with frustration. "I told her he was bad news, but she didn't listen. She thought she knew better." He shook his head. "One night, she was with him when the cops pulled them over. He had a whole stash in the car, and Alexaâshe was just there, trying to play some twisted role of a mobster's wife. Trying to fight the police, cursing, yelling."
Lily's breath hitched. "What happened?"
"She almost got arrested," Gabriel muttered. "They dragged her out of the car, handcuffed her. She got very, very lucky that night. The arresting officers knew our dad and the detective in charge of the case was my dad's old partner. She could've been sent to prison for possession." His voice darkened. "All because she wanted to be with some tough guy."
Lily was quiet for a moment, trying to process it. The rain drummed steadily outside their small shelter, a relentless rhythm against the rock.
"That's..." She hesitated. "That's really bad. I didn't know."
He let out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah, well. Most people don't." His thumb absently brushed over her knuckles. "That's why I don't let her run off with just anyone. She has terrible judgment. And if I don't look out for her, no one else will."
As another crack of lightning lit the sky, Lily studied his expression, sensing the weight he carried, the anger, the fear buried underneath.
Gabriel exhaled, long and slow, as if the confession had drained something out of him. His fingers tightened around Lily's, grounding himself in the contact.
"I feel like I failed him," he admitted, his voice raw. "My dad."
Lily stayed quiet, giving him space to speak.
"He always told me to take care of Alexa." He let out a humorless laugh. "And look at her now. She barely talks to me, does whatever the hell she wants, and gets herself into messes I can't always pull her out of." His jaw clenched. "I should've done better. Maybe then she wouldn't keep making the same mistakes."
Lily hesitated, then squeezed his hand. "It's not your fault."
He shook his head. "I was supposed to watch over her, take care fo her and my mom," His voice dropped lower, almost lost beneath the rain. "And I didn't. I fucked up."
Another flash of lightning illuminated his face, and for the first time, Lily saw it clearlyâthe exhaustion, the guilt, the weight of carrying too much for too long.
"You didn't fail your dad," she murmured. "You're still trying. That has to count for something."
Gabriel didn't answer right away, but he didn't let go of her hand either. Instead, he just held on, his warmth seeping into her skin. The darkness suddenly didn't feel so doomed. It was comforting.
"Enough about me," Gabriel said after a pause. "It's your turn now."
Lily chuckled, "What do you want to know?"
Gabriel tilted his head slightly as if considering his options. "Hmm," he mused. "Tell me something embarrassing. Something you'd never admit unless you were trapped in a storm with no way out."
Lily rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "That's a dangerous request."
"That's the point."
She exhaled, glancing at their intertwined hands before looking back at him in the darkness. "Fine. When I was seven, I entered a talent show at school. Decided to sing in front of everyone."
Gabriel smirked. "I'm guessing it didn't go well?"
"Oh, it was a disaster," she groaned. "Halfway through, I completely forgot the lyrics. Just froze up on stage. And instead of running off like a normal person, I made up nonsense words to fill in the gaps."
Gabriel chuckled, his thumb still absently brushing over her knuckles. "That's kind of adorable."
"It was humiliating," she corrected. "I refused to show my face at school for a week."
He grinned. "Can you sing for me now?"
"Absolutely not." Lily snorted. "Your turn. Something embarrassing."
Gabriel shook his head. "Nope. We're still on you."
"That's not fair," Lily pointed out. "You have to share. That's the rule."
"Says who?"
"Says this unforeseeable situation we are stuck in," Lily laughed.
"Can't argue with that," Gabriel leaned back against the rock, smirking. "Okay, fine. I'll give you something embarrassing."
Lily perked up, intrigued. "This better be good."
Gabriel exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright. When I was nine, I had this massive crush on my next-door neighborâher name was Natalie. She was fourteen, way out of my league, and I was convinced we were meant to be."
Lily bit back a laugh. "Go on."
"One day, I overheard her telling her friend that she thought British accents were hot." He paused, shaking his head. "So, obviously, the logical thing to do was start speaking in a fake British accent every time I saw her."
Lily clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with delight. "No."
"Oh, yes." Gabriel groaned. "And not just casuallyâI fully committed. For months, I greeted her with, 'Ello, love' like I was some Dickensian street kid."
Lily burst out laughing, her body shaking against his. "Oh my God. Please tell me she believed you."
"She did not." He covered his face with his free hand. "She asked if I had a speech impediment."
Lily gasped between laughs. "Gabriel!"
"It gets worse," he admitted. "Alexa caught on and started introducing me to her friends as 'Sir Gabriel of London.' It took me a whole year to live that down."
Lily was practically in tears, gripping his arm for support. "This is the greatest thing I've ever heard."
Gabriel sighed, shaking his head in defeat. "Glad my suffering is entertaining for you."
She wiped her eyes, still giggling. "Oh, absolutely."
"Just be carefully with that, okay?" Gabriel said. "I've never told anyone about IT."
Lily tried to stop the laughter and the tears. She continued to wipe her eyes with her knuckles, being careful as to not get any dirt in them, "That sounds like a story you tell to all the girls you take out on your bike."
"I don't take girls out on my bike," Gabriel corrected her.
"Oh, please," Lily rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Don't tell me I'm so special and that I was the only girl who has ever sat on your bike."
"What if that is the truth?" Gabriel asked.
"You are a very good liar, Rayes."
"What is it so hard for you to believe that I actually do like you?" Gabriel asked.
"We might die here, Gabriel," Lily said. "Don't die while lying."
"Speak for yourself," Gabriel snorted. "I have no plans of dying here. Dying next to you? Definitely. But not here, angel."
"Ew," Lily dropped his hand and shoved him.
Gabriel laughed, completely unfazed by her shove, the sound of his amusement echoing in the small space around them. "You might be my favorite person to die next to."
Lily scoffed, "You're incorrigible."
"Look at you throwing out SAT words, " Gabriel laughed, a teasing light dancing in his eyes. "But yes. I am incorrigible...only for you, angel."
Lily rolled her eyes, feeling her pulse quicken despite herself. She wanted to argue more, but the darkness, the storm, and the strange closeness between them made it feel a little too intimate to push further. "You're insane."
"You have no idea," he replied, shifting a little closer, his shoulder brushing against hers again.
Lily quickly straightened, a subtle heat creeping up her neck. "I'm serious, Gabriel. Don't get too comfortable just because we're stuck here."
"Who, me?" Gabriel's voice dropped in tone, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. "You think I get comfortable? I'm just making sure you don't go passing out on me."
Lily blinked, fighting the way his words, and the way he said them, seemed to wrap around her thoughts.
"Yeah, well, don't expect me to go all starry-eyed because of some random storm," she slowly pushed him back to his side.
His chuckle vibrated in his chest under Lily's palm, "Don't worry. I don't need you starry-eyed to keep going. I just need you awake."
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Theo and Daphne
The air in her apartment was warm, the faint scent of lavender and candles lingering in the air, a comforting presence that made Daphne feel at ease. She walked to her and Theo's closet, her fingers grazing the soft fabrics of her clothes before pulling out a simple set of pajamas. Once changed, she began putting away the dirty laundry from their travel bags, folding each item with automatic precision. But as she moved to close Theo's bag, something caught her eye.
A small, velvet box slipping from the side and tumbling to the floor with a soft thud. It was unexpected, almost too delicate to be real. Daphne's heart quickened as she crouched down to pick it up. The box felt unusually heavy in her hands, a small weight that drew her in.
Opening it cautiously, her breath hitched as she saw the delicate, glimmering ring insideâthe ring she'd seen his mother wear countless times, the one that has been in the family for generations.
It was Theo's grandmother's and mother's ring, unmistakable in its design. Suddenly Daphne was frozen, her heart racing in her chest.
Was he planning to propose? The thought swept over her like a wave, and her chest tightened. She held the box a little longer, the weight of it feeling heavier now. Her eyes flickered to the door, wondering if he'd already been planning the moment.
Daphne quickly shut the box, her fingers trembling as she carefully returned it to the bag where she'd found it. She took a deep breath, the weight of the moment still pressing on her chest, before gently placing the bag back where it had been. Her mind was a whirlwind, and she needed a moment to process everything.
She turned toward the door, the quiet hum of the apartment surrounding her. With quick, purposeful steps, she made her way to Theo's study, her heart still racing. The thought of the ring kept replaying in her mind, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the here and now.
Theo was at his desk when she walked in, his expression lighting up when he saw her. "Hey, beautiful," he greeted her, his voice soft with affection.
Daphne hesitated, momentarily distracted by the rush of emotions she was still feeling. "Hi...," she said quietly, her gaze not quite meeting his.
Theo's smile grew, and he pushed back from his desk, opening his arms. "Come here."
Daphne walked over to him, her feet slow but deliberate, and as if by instinct, she settled onto his lap. Theo's arms wrapped around her, pulling her close, and she sighed, feeling the tension in her chest loosen just a little.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. His hands ran gently along her back, as if trying to sense any discomfort.
Daphne nodded but didn't look up at him immediately. "Yeah, just... a lot on my mind."
Theo tilted her chin up, gently guiding her to meet his gaze. "You can tell me, you know."
She swallowed hard, the thought of the ring still lingering. "Theo," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I found something...."
Theo raised an eyebrow, curious. "What did you find?"
Daphne's breath hitched, and she hesitated, unsure of how to explain. "I found a ring," she finally said, her voice a little shaky. "Your mom's ring. The one she always wears. The one that's been passed down in your family."
Theo's eyes softened as he listened, his arms tightening around her. "Yes," he murmured, his tone serious. "What about it?"
She met his eyes, her heart still racing. "Why......why do you have a diamond ring?"
The question hung in the air between them, and for a moment, all she could hear was the steady beat of her own heart. She waited for his response, feeling like she was holding her breath.
Theo's face softened as he processed her question, his gaze shifting to the floor for a brief moment before he met her eyes again.
"I was just getting the ring cleaned for my mom.," He said, his hands gently caressing her back. "She wanted it polished before the holidays."
Daphne's brow furrowed slightly, a small thread of confusion knitting between her eyes. "Why didn't she just send her assistant to do it?" she asked, her voice gentle but laced with curiosity.
Theo's lips curled into a small, almost playful smile as he gave a shrug. "I guess she just wanted to make sure it was done right. You know how particular she can be. I didn't want anyone else handling it."
Theo looked at her with a look that was so convincing, Daphne couldn't help but nod, still unsure but willing to let it go for the moment.
As she sat on his lap, she felt a tightness in her chest. Daphne wasn't sure why, but she felt like there was something he wasn't telling her. But the way he held her, the quiet confidence in his voice, it all made it hard to question him further. Instead, she settled into his arms, wrapping her own around him, her mind a mix of emotions she couldn't fully decipher.
Theo exhaled deeply. He was relieved Daphne didn't press any further.
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Mason and Wendy
Wendy stood watching Mason with concern as he leaned toward the park rangers, gesturing urgently about where they should begin their search. The rain had stopped, but his clothes were soaked through, the fabric clinging to his skin, a stark contrast to the determined look on his face.
"You're going to get sick if you don't change out of those clothes," Wendy said, her voice sharp, though she tried to keep the worry out of it. "You're soaked, Mason. You need to dry off."
Mason barely glanced at her, his focus entirely on the rangers. "I don't have time for that right now. We need to figure out where to start. We can't waste any more time."
She stepped closer and grabbed his arm, stopping him before he could walk away. "You're not helping anyone like this. You can't even think straight if you're shivering to death."
Mason exhaled through his nose, his jaw tight. "I'm fine."
Wendy's eyes narrowed, frustration flashing in her expression, but she didn't push him further. She knew there was no getting through to him. But that didn't stop her from silently wishing he'd just listen.
"At least change out of your wet hoodie," She said. "I'll go grab you another one-"
"Lily!"
Jake's voice suddenly startled everyone in the group. Wendy and Mason turned toward the treeline.
Lily and Gabriel emerged from the darkness, looking disheveled and exhausted, their clothes clinging to their damp bodies. Gabriel was walking slowly beside her, his expression hard to read, but there was a clear tension in his movements. Lily's face was pale, and she was rubbing her arms, trying to warm herself from the lingering cold. As soon as Jake saw her, his face softened, a mixture of relief and anger flashing through his eyes.
"Lily!" Jake's voice cracked through the air, and before anyone could react, he sprinted toward her, his arms pulling her into a tight, protective hug.
The others were frozen for a moment, the intensity of the moment catching them off guard. Mason, still standing near the rangers, saw the group and immediately yelled, "Get the paramedics, now!"
He pushed his way toward Lily and Jake, his face etched with concern. As he reached them, he didn't hesitate. He pulled Lily into his arms, his grip fierce and protective, as if afraid she might break.
"Oh, thank fuckin' god," he murmured against her hair, his voice cracking with relief. "I was going to lose my mind."
The words seemed to shake off the remnants of fear that had been gnawing at him for the past few hours, but still, he held her tightly, unwilling to let go. Wendy, who had been silently watching the exchange, moved forward, concern flickering in her eyes as she assessed Gabriel and Lily's condition.
Gabriel, despite the storm of emotions surrounding him, glanced toward Alexa, who had stayed back from the group, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of them. He walked toward her slowly, the weight of the moment still hanging on him. As he approached, his voice was softer than usual, tinged with something almost vulnerable.
"You okay?" he asked, his gaze searching her face.
Alexa blinked, still processing everything around her. She glanced at Gabriel, her confusion clear. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... worried."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't press her further. He nodded, relieved that she was safe.
Lily, meanwhile, was still caught in Mason's embrace, her mind slowly pulling itself together. She could feel the warmth of her brother, the concern in his touch, and the familiar sense of safety that came with being with him. But as the adrenaline faded, the exhaustion set in, and she could barely keep her eyes open. The storm had taken its toll on her, physically and emotionally.
The group, though relieved to see Gabriel and Lily back safe, couldn't shake the tension that lingered in the air. Everyone was still processing what had happened, their minds racing with thoughts of what could have been, but for now, the most important thing was that they were all together, and that Lily and Gabriel had made it back.
<3 Hope you liked it