#more optimistic than my origianl plans but I think TDP Official will hurt me enough in about an hour

[zuppizup]

Into the light

Continued from A Path of Darkness

She turns her face into the cave floor, unable to watch. She cannot bear to have the anger and hatred on his face be the last thing she sees.

Her breath catches in her throat as she prepares for the pain, hoping it’s over quickly at least.

And then... nothing.

No movement. No disembodied voice.

Not even breathing…

“Rayla?”

His voice sounds shaky, scared but it is his voice.

She looks at him, wincing to find his eyes still glowing.

It almost looks like he's fighting himself. The hand clutching the dagger is shaking, muscles straining around the metal.

“I'm here, Callum.” She whispers, not daring to hope.

The glow quickly fades from his eyes as he slumps a little. Shaking himself, he looks at the knife poised over her heart, recoiling in revulsion and throwing it across the cave.

He looks back at her, breath catching as he reaches for her cheek. He doesn’t touch her though, his face crumpling as he sobs.

“It’s okay, Callum.” She flexes her wrists, trying to alert him to the fact he still has her pinned.

“I’m sorry!” He gasps, pulling his hands back as he begins to shake.

“It’s okay.” Finally free, she reaches for him. “It wasn’t you.”

He collapses against her, face buried in her shoulder as he shakes violently. “I hurt you. Oh Sources, Rayla, I almost-”

His breath catches in his throat and she thinks he might almost be sick.

“You didn’t, Callum.” She wraps her arms around him, holding him close. “It wasn’t you.”

He doesn’t respond other than to continue to cry. Her heart aches hearing him. She wants nothing but to console him but there’s still danger lurking here.

They can’t afford to fall apart. Not yet.

“Callum,” she speaks soft but firm. “It’s not safe here.” Putting her hands on his shoulders, she urges him up. “We have to leave.”

Avoiding eye contact, he nods, eyes wandering around the dark cave. The runes they activated glow faintly, as if burned out.

He sits back on his rear as she gets to her feet.

“Come on.” She offers him her hand. “We don’t have time to waste-”

“I can’t come with you.” His voice is quiet but it cuts through her all the same.

“What?” She crouches down before him, reaching for his hand. “Callum-”

He pulls back, looking disgusted. “It’s not safe.” He whimpers. “I’m not safe. You can’t be around me.

“I’m not leaving you!” She reaches for his hand and attempts to pull him to his feet.

He resists, shaking his head. “I’m sorry about everything... about before... but I can’t be around you, Rayla. Not after what I just did.”

Tears sting her eyes as she kneels before him, his hand firmly grasped in hers. “You didn’t do anything, Callum. That wasn’t you. And you regained control. You’re stronger than whatever that was.”

“I hurt you.” His eyes dart to her face and the bruise she assumes is already forming on her pale skin. “I almost killed you!”

“But... but...” She searches for the right words, for a way to convince him. “I can’t leave you, Callum. Not... not again.” She sniffs, resisting the urge to wipe the tears from her face. “We’re stronger together… We always were.”

He looks at her like he wants to believe her. “I don’t want to hurt you. Not again.”

“You won’t.” She needs him to believe her. She doesn’t know how but she won’t let... whatever that was touch him again. “I’m going to keep you safe. I promise.”

He takes a shaky breath, eyes fixed on hers. “We’ll keep each other safe.”