This Darkened Heart (Chapter 3)

“Okay, okay! Tell me! What’s this big surprise you’re planning?” she asked excitedly. 1

They were walking through the park on their way home from the horrid prison that can only be known as “school.” Aurora, with her chocolate colored hair blowing gracefully in the frigid winter air, held herself close to Wulf’s arm with her fingers intertwined with his.2

He had an enormous grin playing on his lips as she waited impatiently for his answer.3

“What’s in two weeks?” he teased.4

“Winter break. Duh Wulf. Why?”5

They left the barren park and began to walk down the street towards Aurora’s condo complex that was located in the middle of the obnoxiously noisy town. A bus drove past them leaving them in a few moments of stillness, but as it left they were engulfed once again by the wind. 6

“I’m not saying” he taunted.7

“Wulf! You promised me you’d tell me today!” she harped.8

“I know I did. But I didn’t say what time I’d tell you.”9

“Hmmp. That isn’t fair.”10

“Of course it is!”11

She glared at him as he snickered. She let go of his arms, folded them across her chest, and began to walk faster.12

“Hey! Get back here” he called.13

“No.”14

She glanced down the road before sprinting across to leave Wulf to wait on the cars to drive past.15

“Aurora! Stop it!”16

“Never!” she giggled as he crossed the road.17

“Aurora!”18

He jolted across the road and grabbed her around her waist.19

“Lemme go Wulf!” she cried as she dug her nails into his flesh.20

He didn’t flinch. Aurora became exasperated as she fought him but couldn’t manage to break free from his hold.21

“Aurora” he whispered.22

A chill raced down her spine as she ceased to move. He let her go but kept hold of her hand.23

“I’m not talking to you.”24

“What? Why?” Wulf questioned.25

“Because.”26

“’Cause why?”27

“Because you won’t tell me!” she groaned.28

They were a block away from her condo complex. The grey buildings, the unappealing cars, the blinking traffic lights, the ignorant people, and even the noise of the town seemed to be all a blur to the young couple as they turned the corner to walk up the stairs and enter condo number 316 that was being rented out by Aurora’s parents. 29

What little vegetation the Hidden Springs Condominiums had, was dead and dried up. Wulf, having been dating Aurora for three years and counting, knew exactly what to do when entering the condo. He untied his boots, took them off, and placed them on the tile next to the front door. He slipped out of his black leather jacket, shook his hair, and hung the jacket on the free hook of the hall tree. Aurora did the same. She sighed as she grabbed the collar of her trench coat.30

She adored it. If she could, she’d wear it every moment of every day. Wulf, of course ruined her moment by slipping it off of her and hanging it up. Then he asked his playful question, “Who do you love more? Me? Or the trench coat?” as he did every time she did this. And of course her answer was always, “You silly.”31

They crept back into Aurora’s bedroom and closed the door behind them. She whorled around to face him and demanded, “Tell. Me.” She tossed her bag onto her black quilted queen sized bed.32

“Okay. I’ll tell you.”33

Her pissy expression lightened up as her fingers wove together and held up her chin.34

“What is it?”35

“Gatlinburg.”36

“What about Gatlinburg?”37

He tittered and pulled a pamphlet out of his back pocket.38

“You and I are going to Gatlinburg, Tennessee during winter break.”39

Her eyes twinkled as she ripped the colorful paper out of his hands.40

“Is that where we’ll stay?” she pondered aloud. 41

“That, my dear, would be it.”42

Aurora’s enthusiasm reversed into depression. She moaned.43

“There’s no way on Earth my parents are going to let me go with you alone.”44

“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong.”45

She glanced up to see a smug smile on his face.46

“Am I wrong?”47

“Most certainly. I asked your parents if it’d be okay since they are going on a cruise without you. They said yes.”48

“Are you kidding me?!”49

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.50

“Do you like?”51

“OMG I love! I can’t believe it. Are you paying for it? How much is it costing you to rent the place for two weeks? OMG winter break is next week! OMG. OMG. OMG!”52

He laughed at her excitement. 53

“Aurora calm down. Yes, it’s next week. We will be leaving Sunday. I’ll be driving and you’re not gonna pack your entire room into my car so, knowing you, start packing now and then cut it in half. Then before we leave cut it in half again.”54

She glared at him as her arms crossed over her chest.55

“I don’t pack that much.”