• Shadow sat on the beach staring out at the calm lapping waves of the sea, covered in a dark blanket of diamonds that was the night sky. To look at the image of Shadow like that made Zane’s heart hurt. He saw the reflections of the stars in her eye’s as he wished that she could be his. He knew, he like herself, that they belonged to another. He had feelings for his partner but Zane knew he would never feel the same deep, painful love for Becca as he did for Shadow.
    Zane walked towards Shadow memorizing the image before him. Once he reached her he sat down softly in the sand next to her. Zane looked out to the sea and sky, slowly breathing in Shadows scent. It was sweet like Parma violets with a very slight hint of Lavender.
    Shadow felt Zane’s presence as he walked towards her. He took his place next to her on the soft white sand. Shadow listened to his slow soft deep breathing, still listening to the waves as they crashed quietly against the sand. They sat like this for an hour before looking at each other.
    “Hey, it’s been awhile” Shadow said barely above a whisper but loud enough so Zane could hear. “I know it’s getting harder to get away.” Zane’s voice just as quiet. “So why did you want to meet here?” Shadow asked in curiosity. “it’s peaceful She can’t find us and I think you look beautiful in the star light.” Zane said honestly. Shadow blushed, She saw emotion on his face a mixture of love and concern. His sweet chiselled features did not suit this mix. When Shadow looked at him, time seemed to stand still. Zane wore simple clothes, a loose band t-shirt, baggy jeans, a black and white studded belt and skating trainers. His hair a black and blonde Mohawk which made his cheek bones stand out even more than they already did. His light blue eyes hypnotizing to look into, Shadow often got lost looking in to them. She moved closer to Zane and laid her head on his shoulder, her long black hair cascading down their backs.
    “When will we be free?” asked a chocked up Shadow “I don’t know… I wish I could answer that question myself.” “come on let’s walk” said Shadow standing up holding out her right hand. Zane took her hand and stood up. He looked at her properly he took in every detail though he already knew what he would see. Her sliver blue eye’s perfectly lined in black eyeliner, skin flawless and pale, lips full and shined slightly with peach flavoured lip balm. Shadow wore a deep crimson red vest top that clung to her toned curvy figure. Covering this was a long sleeved black mesh tight top that showed off her bust and thin waist. Going further down she had loose black jeans on with a black leather belt, and steel toe boots. In Zane’s eyes she was the perfect vision of a woman.
    She, Becca the woman Zane is with is very controlling and jealous. She is the only reason Zane and Shadow are having this affair. They are best friends, they have been each others confidant for years know although they are young. They are soul mates. To find your soul mate so young is rare Zane is 26 and Shadow is 24. Becca is jealous because of their connection and how close their relationship is with each other. She doesn’t realise she is pushing them closer.
    In the beginning they tried to stop this from happening. They failed. After a night of drinking, laughter and tears they found themselves an inch away from each others lips. As if in slow motion movie they closed the gap, kissing each other softly at first then Zane ran his tongue across her bottom lip begging for entry to the new adventure he wanted to explore, when Shadow allowed him entry he explored with passion. It was something he had never felt before. The passion and love he felt for the woman in his arms, his best friend and now lover. He knew she needed him tonight. He saw the protective way she held her left arm while they walked and how she winced slightly when he held her.
    “He hurt you again, didn’t he?” concern apparent on his voice. Shadow just nodded. She turned to Zane he held her closer to him and she cried. He held her for about an hour as she cried and after Shadow stopped crying. He kissed the side of her forehead as an attempt at comforting her. She clamed after releasing all the feelings she had kept locked up since the last time she saw Zane. Craig the guy Shadow was with was abusive, he hit her anytime he got angry weather it be work or something she didn’t do right, like have any booze in for him to drink when he got in from work. She tried not to buy it as it made him worse. He was awful, he beat her more if she tries to leave.
    They reached the edge of town. They stopped so Shadow could re-apply her make-up her eyeliner had run, she lined her eyes and re drew the intricate design the spread from the corner of her eye and down her face and neck. This was part of her individuality and she loved it.
    Shadow looked to Zane and he nodded in approval. They made their way to a club they both loved and where no one would recognize them. They danced, Shadow had her back to Zane. He had his hands on her hips as she swayed to the music grinding against him. He moved his hands up and down her sides and across her stomach. They were both getting slightly turned on by each others movements. After the song ended they went to the bar and got a drink.
    By midnight Shadows mobile had been ringing every 10 minuets Craig was calling. “Don’t go home to him” Zane said softly in her ear as he held her close during a slower song. “ I have to you know what he’ll do if I don’t” she said with a sad look on her features, this made Zane’s heart ache that she had to go home to a man who she didn’t love and who beat her. He knew she would be at the receiving end of his temper tonight as they had been out together and it was late. “ Tell him you at your mothers as she’s not well , Stay with me.” He begged with pleading eyes. Shadow was silent for a few seconds thinking over her options. One - go home and get beaten. Two - go with her best friend to a hotel and make love to him all night and ask her mother to lie for her in the morning. Three - run away with Zane start a new life.
    She knew the last one was hopeless at the moment it would not be able to happen for at least another week, so long as she kept Craig from finding out. She knew her mother would do anything she asked so she decided to go with Zane to the hotel a little further into town. Shadow texted Craig to tell him what was happening. She had a nagging thought in the back of her mind that she would pay for this the next day but for now she could forget she had the man she loved and he had her what more could they both want right now?
    They spent the whole night together in each others arms, he was so gentle that night, it was different because they could spend more time together. An hour was all they normally had if they were lucky.
    Silence was all that was heard the morning after. Shadow looked at Zane’s still sleeping form, she watched his chest slowly rise and fall. She slowly moved out of his arms and walked to the shower. As the warm water poured over her she looked at the scar’s on her body and knew more would soon appear once she saw Craig he would make her pay for not going home the night before.
    It was only a matter of time before Craig found out and would either kill her or he would make her suffer in the worst way possible and kill Zane and let her live after a glorious beating possibly hospitalize her.
    If she could keep it from him a week longer she would have her inheritance from her grandmother and would be able to leave with Zane and go abroad. Both of them able to live how they wanted no longer living in secret. It all depended on if she could keep it quiet for one more week.