MADISON

We drove through the beautiful city during daylight, exploring its natural surroundings. The weather was perfect, ideal for a leisurely walk. The city had a relaxed and social atmosphere.

In the late afternoon, we decided it was time to visit the main attraction, the Broadwalk. Finding a parking space was a bit challenging, but Caden managed to navigate through the traffic and secure a spot in the main lot.

Hand in hand, we walked through the bustling crowds. Everything about this place was vibrant and colorful, like something out of a Disney movie. It felt like I was living a romantic fairytale, especially with Caden by my side.

I have loved this place since I was a child. It got me mentally reliving a specific moment in my life; when I was a little child I would ask my mom and biological father to bring me to Santa Cruz beach boardwalk because all I saw it as was a fairytale land for children. Mom will simply nod, smiling at me as a parent should, and my father will hiss, reminding me how much underprivileged we are and how that would never happen. I used to talk about it all the time, even though I knew my family could never afford to take me there.     

He had said if I was lucky to find a wild teenage boy someday when I grow up, I could runway from the hell that was my childhood home and live on Santa Cruz beach boardwalk for as much as I wanted as long as I do know how to take orders from wealthy people.

Yes, I remember that and yes I do know my past father very much, I just choose to forget him. I never thought about him because no matter how messed up Thaddeus was, I had a father's affection there. It was something I used to envy the other kids for back in first grade.

Well, what I am trying to say is, that my miserable father was wrong. Maybe I was here with a teenage boy my age, but I wasn't running from home and I wasn't taking orders from anyone to live my best life. Maybe I shouldn't be with the teenage boy holding me in his arm, because it was a flaring fire I was playing with, but at least he wasn't as wild as my father had wished for me.

Caden and I took the giant dipper first because neither of us was hesitant, I screamed and clutched him throughout the ride while Caden laughed at my reaction. I couldn't help but scream and clutch Caden during each one. He found my reactions amusing and teased me throughout. We went on ride after ride, each providing a different experience. I screamed at some and cheered on others, but it was an incredible adventure.

After all the excitement, we decided to have lunch. The food in the park was pricey but worth it. We found a quiet spot to eat, watching people having a great time. It was a beautiful view.

While we ate, we talked about various things we'd never discussed before, like high school, teachers, and plans for our next visit to New York. We even talked about my work and Asher, and Caden didn't make fun of his name this time. I laughed throughout, everything about here and Caden was fun but sexually tensioned. We flirted with each other like never, he had kissed the upper part of my lip and claimed I had a smoothie there, we stared at each other shamelessly and I even believe I am beginning to understand Caden for what he was just like I always wanted.

When we finished lunch, Caden rested his head on my lap, and I couldn't resist running my fingers through his hair. It felt amazing to have him all to myself, with no other girls around vying for his attention.

We later ventured into the fun center, where we played various arcade games for over an hour. Caden won me a pink stuffed whale, and we celebrated his victory with laughter and giggles, attracting some attention from those around us.

Today was the first time I saw Caden so carefree and happy. I wondered if he could always be like this.

We also took some fun photos in a photo booth, making silly faces and laughing. The pictures captured our joy, and I stashed them in my backpack.

As the evening approached, the sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of bright orange and red. We walked quietly along the shoreline, hand in hand, feeling the ocean breeze and taking in the beautiful sights. There were different festive families around. Great surfers. Pleased pets on the leash. Teenagers playing volleyball in bikinis and shorts, and just very great vibes around the environment. It almost felt dreamy being here.

The view of the ocean was very reposeful, I leaned my head on Caden's chest and circled my hand around his torso watching the sailing boats arriving at the bay as the closing time approached.

The place felt nostalgic, and I wasn't ready to leave. I had the most incredible time and cherished every moment.

But as the park's closing time neared, a sense of uncertainty crept in. What would happen when we returned home, back to reality? Would Caden go back to being mean, and would our relationship return to its usual cruelty?

"I don't want this to end," I blurted out from Caden's chest, tears welling up in my eyes.

"What?" he asked

I know he knows what I mean because I felt his heartbeat rate change.

"You, me, us. All of this," I mumbled, sniffling when I couldn't control the tears falling and drenching his shirt.

He remained silent and said nothing more. The only communication we had was his hands stroking my back softly, and his chin resting on my head.

We stayed that way for the rest of the time until we had to leave because it was seven and it was closing time.

However, before getting to the lot, Caden managed to get us the famous corn dog people won't shut up about.

We pulled out of the lot at the same time as many others and successfully rolled out through the packed parking space while we devoured the very delicious hot dog.

"This is so good." I giggled when I finished what is considered our dinner.

"I can't get enough," Caden agreed with a soft smile as he drove through the empty and unpaved road between tall woods that resembled a forest.

I assumed it was a path clear of traffic, and we could get home quickly.

I was returning the smile when it hit me that I hadn't checked my phone the whole day.

"Shit!"

"What?" He sounded concerned.

I grabbed my backpack and searched through its contents. "I must have a lot of phone calls and messages. I skipped school today, and I was in an accident two days ago."

His warm hand came over my hands and stopped me. "Relax," he instructed, and I instinctively stopped breathing, his eyes intense just as his voice. And the car came to a stop.

What the hell?

My head jerked to the front of the car. Yes, we stopped in the middle of a forest when the sun had set behind the horizon.

"Caden? What are you doing?" I asked when I remembered about ten horror movies that happened in a quiet forest and how serial killers made the forest their home. Like this movie, we all watched back in New York together with Mom. It's called 'Wrong Turn Were they monstrous people, or perhaps creatures, who consumed individuals like Caden and me? Even though 'The 100' wasn't a horror movie, the Grounders weren't pleased when ' The 100' ventured into their territory.

"Look," he motioned behind me. Slowly, I followed his gaze.

A waterfall? Oh my goodness.

My face was aflame with emotions, and I couldn't suppress the smile.

I found it difficult to remember the lurking possibility of some creepy murderer waiting to pounce. Instead, I eagerly scrambled out of the car, awed by the view before me.

The sound of streaming water descending from the mountains to the river, along with the chirping of crickets in the dimming surroundings, added a new layer to my favorite day.

I couldn't help but grin, fixated on the ceaseless flow of the water – so natural and enchanting.

Then, I felt my hair being swept to one side, exposing the uninjured part of my neck, while his warmth drew nearer.

My heart didn't hesitate; it started pounding against the walls of my chest. Waves of excitement and anticipation surged through my veins. My eyes instinctively closed as I felt his closeness, and I shivered when his lips touched my neck.

"I don't want this to end either," he whispered, responding to my unspoken question.

A tear escaped from my eye, and I quickly turned around, eagerly capturing his mouth as we shed our clothes until we stood completely bare in the heart of the forest.

He took a step back, and I swallowed.

The moon generously provided its glow, allowing me to see the desire in Caden's eyes as they roamed over my naked body.

His perfectly chiseled chest rose and fell rapidly, his breath escaping through parted lips as our gazes locked.

"I don't want this to end," he quietly repeated from the opposite side, and I surrendered. I couldn't restrain my desire for him any longer.

Taking a step closer, I closed the distance between us, our bare, warm skin making contact. I rose on my toes when he remained motionless.

His breathing was intense, his eyes remained closed, and he trembled against me.

His head shook in disapproval, but I couldn't fathom what was wrong.

Yet, it was evident that he was wrestling with the same emotions I was. What was the issue?

"Look at me," I pleaded when he remained stiff before me.

"We are siblings."

"Stepsiblings," I corrected him.

"We share the same name."

A lump formed in my throat, and I couldn't help it.

"It doesn't matter." My voice quivered, but he heard me. He shook his head and said, "It's wrong."

No! He couldn't tell me that now, not after today, not after all the good times we'd shared.

"Caden, look at me," I desperately implored, my hands cupping his clenched jaws as he continued to shake his head in disapproval.

It was tearing me apart.

But what hit me harder were his next words, which brutally shattered the last fragments of my being.

"None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness... Cursed be anyone who lies with his... sister, whether the daughter of his... father or the daughter of his mother." He let out a conflicted exhale, which started as something akin to an angry laugh but ended as a sob. A single tear escaped from his closed eyes, and it was then that I realized I was crying too.

"I don't care... I want you... I want you—no one else. Please, look at me," I sniveled, wrapping my hands around him as he remained motionless with closed eyes and shaky breath. "I want you alone." I held him even tighter and sobbed into his pounding chest.