Olivia Rhodes

Sometimes you must burn and rise from your own ashes in order to become who you’re meant to be. 21+|MCRP🐀

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

Pet?

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

(]Reaching in my pocket, I pull out his wedding ring and place it in her palm.[) This is all that was left.

(]I feel like I’m suffocating.[) Now I… I don’t know what to do. I have no right to ask for help, @ILikeHimALatte… but I have no one else.

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

then everything caught fire and faded to black.

(]My hand tightens around @ILikeHimALatte’s. Our fingers twine together and I draw from her strength. Something about her is calming.[)

I woke up naked. There were ashes and scorch marks. (]My eyes find hers.[) Josh was gone. >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

longer.[) He was going to rape me. I could feel him moving between my legs.

(]Covering my mouth, I sob as the memory floods my body.[) It wouldn’t have been the first time.

(]I draw an unsteady breath.[) I started to feel warm. I told him no.

(]My breathing quickens.[) And >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

me but…

(]@ILikeHimALatte holds up a hand.[) “You were married. You ran away. In the prophecy, you escaped something evil. We weren’t sure what.”

(]She is so casual about it that I blink at her owlishly.[) “Go on. Tell me what happened.”

(]I can’t hold back the tears any >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

my eyes tightly.[) I’m afraid I may have murdered my husband.

(]@ILikeHimALatte stays quiet, but she doesn’t attempt to pull her hand away. Curious of her reaction, I life my gaze to her face.[) “You mean your abuser.”

(]I open and close my mouth.[) Well, yes. Josh did hurt >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

Josh’s lips on my skin, hear his zipper.[) I’m afraid it will change things. That I’m not who you think I am.

(]@ILikeHimALatte looks at me for a long moment but remains silent.]) “Whatever is, you’re safe here.”

(]I swallow.[) The fire yesterday. It happened again.

(]I shut>>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

going to have to tell them the truth.[) I… I have to tell you something.

(]A strangled son catches in my throat. I feel Josh on top of me, pinning me down again.[) I’m scared.

(]@ILikeHimALatte squeezes my hand.[) “It’s okay. You can tell me.”

(]My lip trembles. I can feel >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

(]Frowning, I push my hair behind my ear. Tears sting the corners of my eyes, but I don’t dare let them fall.[) No, but I’m afraid I have to.

(]If I was going to ask @ILikeHimALatte for help - if I was going to truly consider the offer she and @LoveDoesn_tFail made me - I was >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

I’m still here, my dragon.

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

Do you remember when you joined Twitter? I do! #MyTwitterAnniversary

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

truly loved?

Faith. Hope. Love.

The ideals burned within me. The only thing missing was trust. Not just in a partner, but in myself and my ability to believe in someone enough to give my heart and my body without being hurt.

Fear stabs my heart. Maybe I’m meant to be alone.[)

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

she takes my hand.[) “Which way is your heart leaning? You’re no longer tethered to the past. You have a chance to move on.”

(]Was @ILikeHimALatte right? Could I move on? Would anyone - man or dragon - want me if they knew what I had done? Would I find happiness? Could I be >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

sweet and knowing.[) “Gift of sight, remember?”

(]I shake my head.[) Why ask if you already know?

(]@ILikeHimALatte laughs.[) “I don’t pretend to know everything. Besides, your fate isn’t set. What I see is through the veil. You make your own destiny.”

(]Setting her cup aside,

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

afraid it’s more complicated than that.

(]@ILikeHimALatte shrugs.[) “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

(]I blink at her, but she just calmly sips tea from her own china cup.[) “Start with the dream, Olivia.”

How did you--? (]Her smile is >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

a hint of surprise or shock.[) “Have you made your decision then?”

(]@ILikeHimALatte half walks, half floats to the door and seals the entrance the way she did last night. She passes a steaming cup of hot tea into my cold hands and sinks down on the floor beside me.[) I’m >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

to be sure.

The bell above the door clattered when I pushed inside. Books fly from shelves and hover in the air. Lightheaded, I duck behind the counter and curl my knees up to my chest.

That’s where @ILikeHimALatte finds me an hour later. When my eyes meet hers, I don’t see >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

the two women I spoke to last night hoping for answers. Shivering and afraid, I scurried in the direction I thought I’d walked with Stella. Like a mouse, I tried to go unnoticed.

The hair on the back of my neck prickles. Someone was following me. I knew without looking back >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

and turning in circles.

The crystal. @ILikeHimALatte said it would protect me from evil. I touch the stone and close my eyes. I try to imagine what the storefront looked like and the surrounding landmarks.

Pushing past the fears and doubts I have about my future, I seek out >>

[Olivia Rhodes @BeastsPhoenix]

unsure of what sounds come from the old home over the thundering of my heart.

There’s a garden across the street. I hide my case amongst the overgrown foliage. When I’m satisfied it’s safe, I try to find my way back to Book and Candle.

Lost, I find myself panting for breath >>