Page 9 of Fear the Fall

“What she said,” Zeke begins, and I don’t stop him. “You’re not evil, Tori.”

I look up into his sincere eyes that stare back at me intensely. A woman could get lost in those soulful eyes. I’ve spent so much time trying to push him away. Maybe he’s right. Perhaps all my efforts are for nothing, and I’m wasting time on Earth being lonely.

Stop it.

I berate myself internally. This is the very crux of why I keep my distance. When I’m drawn back to memories of the time I fell, I feel out of control. The hurt of betrayal and the emotions that came the moment I landed here on Earth make me rash. I chase whatever emotion will help me forget, and every time, I find myself in Zeke’s arms. He’s been my crutch, and it’s not fair to him.

“I might not be evil, but she’s not wrong, Zeke.”

“What does that mean?”

I shrug. “My light was destroyed before I ever fell.”