The sun was about to set in the clear sky, as Helen and Marcus crossed the small town of East Berwick. Even six hours after the incident at the diner, Helen could not find peace. In this dark hour, the young blonde attempted to find hope, but, despite her best efforts, she simply couldn’t. The two of them were on the run, fighting to survive an uneven battle. They had managed to escape their pursuers, but Helen knew that they were up against a much more powerful enemy than they were. It was only a matter of time before they found them again. Despite her poor emotional state however, she couldn’t deny that the traumatic experience had brought the two of them even closer. Helen felt more connected to Marcus and would stand by him, whether he decided to visit to his father or not.

A short while later, they came across a small motel, on the outskirts of Berwick, that looked inviting. Emotionally drained and exhausted, Helen requested that they stop there for the night. Marcus indulged her, but he had to keep her truck away from prying eyes. So, he drove around the building and parked it behind the bushes.

With her suitcases in his hands, Marcus checked them in to the motel. He set them down on the floor, as Helen explored their room. But, much to her surprise, he would not go get his own suitcase. He merely closed the door behind him.

“Marcus, what are you doing?” She inquired, folding her arms across her chest. “Aren’t you…”

“I’ve thought about what you said.” He interrupted her, his voice firm. “You’re right. I need to go see my father.”

Relief flashed across Helen’s face. His short sentence lit a beacon of hope inside her, as she strolled towards him. At the same time though, she recalled what he had told her earlier that day, about the presence of government agents near his father’s house. But, this time, Helen would not allow fear to consume her. Marcus had reached a vital decision, one that could potentially save their lives.

“You’ve just made me very happy.” She said, her voice feathery, a small smile forming on her face, as she lifted her palms to his chest. “What changed your mind?”

“You,” he stated, gazing down into her eyes. “What happened today shook me up pretty badly. I don’t want to see that same fear in your eyes again.”

“Thank you.” Helen whispered, nodding at the same time.

“I’m sorry, country girl,” Marcus spoke in a much softer tone. “You’re going through all of this because of me. Because I…”he paused; “liked you too much to stay away from you.”

“Please, don’t talk like that,” Helen requested, shaking her head in disapproval. “I made a choice. You didn’t force me into anything.”

“You didn’t know the risks back then.” He sighed, raising his hands to her face. “I should have told you sooner.”

“Stop,” she forcefully commanded him. “Now’s not the time to feel guilty, ok? What’s done is done.”

“And if my father doesn’t help?” Marcus wondered, caressing her face. “Then what do we do?”

“We need happy thoughts right now.” Helen smiled, sliding her hands up his chest. “I think he will. What kind of father would turn his back on his own son?”

“Do me a favor.” He said, his voice dropping down an octave. “If you don’t hear from me by dawn, leave this place. Take the first flight out to L.A.”

“What?” She squeaked, surprise written all over her face. “No! I’m not going anywhere without you, you hear?”

“Listen to me!” Marcus almost shouted, flashing an intense glare at her. “You can’t stay in one place for long. They could find you. And I…”

Helen anxiously awaited the end of his sentence, but he couldn’t speak. He bit his lower lip, dropping his gaze down to the floor, as she leaned in towards him.

“What, Marcus?” She whispered. “You what?”

“I’m going to war, baby.” He breathed, as his gaze shot up to meet hers. “There’s a good chance I might not make it out of there alive.”

His words and the tears that had pooled in his eyes made her heart sink. The fear came back larger than before; Helen could no longer resist it. In a split second, it haunted her mind, as she realized that this could well be the last time they saw each other.

“Don’t tell me I won’t see you again, my dark angel.” She spoke in a terrified whisper. “Please, don’t.”

“Dark angel…” Marcus croaked, with a bitter smile on his face.

“Yeah,” Helen affirmed, as a tear toppled over the edge of her eye. “My dark angel lives in the shadows. He protects me. He kept my family whole. I can’t live without him.”

Upon finishing her confession, she tilted her head up, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. Their lips locked in a long, tender kiss, as he stroked her face. Unable to hold back her tears, Helen ran her hands up the sides of his neck, as he pulled her close. Losing herself in the moment, she ran her fingers through his beard, her hands shaking, as he wrapped his arms around her back. Helen moved her lips to his cheek and kissed him briefly, before attempting to put her head on his shoulder. But, Marcus didn’t allow her to do so. In a swift move, he removed his arms from her back and cupped her face in both of his hands.

“This isn’t goodbye.” He whispered, pressing his forehead against hers, as a tear streamed down his cheek. “I’ve found you once. I’ll find you again.”

“Come back to me.” She said, her voice broken, as he ran his thumbs across her cheekbones. He gave her a slow nod, closing his eyes, as he eased out of her hold. Helen’s heart pounded in her chest, as she watched him turn around. As much as his leaving hurt her though, she would not take her eyes off of him. She kept her gaze settled on him, as his lazy footsteps led him away from the motel…

Godspeed, baby. Be careful out there. Find me again, like you said. God… I miss you already.