Diamonds Fall

by Rebecca Gibson

  Thus, four days were all Annabel could make him stay still for. He was getting anxious to go outside, wanting to prove his strength and reintroduce meat to his diet. Therefore, with Annabel on one side and Patsy on the other, they stumbled their way towards the forest, Billy hurrying in front before anyone could spot the concealed baby in his arms. Once beneath the relative safety of the trees, Daniel dropped his arms from the two women's shoulders and leant against a trunk, breathing heavily from the exertion of staying upright.

  After a few minutes he lifted his eyes in determination and stood up on his own, albeit slightly shakily. He began to walk forwards, limping on his left leg. He swayed on his fifth step and grabbed the first thing he could reach - Annabel's hand, which had shot out in some hope of catching him if he fell. Patsy ran off into the forest, an idea lighting her eyes. She came back looking pleased with herself, carrying a large stick which she handed to Daniel. He laughed, thanking her and leaned the weight of his damaged leg upon it. His opposite hand remained clasped around Annabel's.

  About half way to their destination Annabel lowered him to the ground at his own request where he began forming something from the plants growing out of the forest floor. When he had finished, she noticed he had made a snare. He made several more of these along their way, hoping at least one of them would yield some dinner.

  When Daniel was satisfied, they climbed down the slippery slope to the stream, which was a lot more difficult than the flat forest floor for his wounded body. He fell often, scraping the palms of his hands, yet he refused to let them help him.

  When they finally made it to the bank of the river Daniel collapsed onto the grass to catch his breath. Annabel and Patsy lay down on either side of him and they smiled up at the fluffy white clouds, gliding over the canopy of trees above them.

  They were all in dire need of a good wash. Luckily Patsy had thought ahead and thus pulled out two bars of the malformed soap. Daniel made Annabel and Patsy close their eyes as he removed what was left of his clothes and lowered himself into the stream. He let out a suppressed screech as the water hit his torso, where the worst of his wounds resided.

  They opened their eyes again to see Daniel scrubbing the blood and filth off of his freckled skin. It was quite a sight watching the sun shine off of Daniel's fair hair as he lathered soap over its now greasy texture. All Annabel could see of him were his shoulders and arms. She watched how his muscles worked under his skin as he cleaned his clothes and body, passing the soap over to Billy who was now in the stream next to him, having handed Genevieve to Patsy. The baby whimpered and Billy glanced at her, a concerned look in his eye. To break the tension, Daniel splashed him. Both men laughed at their childish game. Before the fight was over all four of them were soaking. Although Patsy had moved away about half way through in order to keep Genevieve dry. They all laughed so much their sides ached and tears ran down their cheeks. Annabel felt elated, lighter than she had ever felt before.

  Shortly afterwards, the girls were made to close their eyes once more and they heard the sucking noises of wet clothes being drawn back over wet bodies. When Annabel opened her eyes again both boys were only in their undergarments, laying the rest of their clothes in the sun to dry. Annabel's gaze lingered on Daniel for a fraction of a second too long, taking in the shape of his legs as the soaking garments stuck to them, leaving very little to the imagination. She blushed, looking away quickly as Daniel caught her gaze. Raising an eyebrow questioningly, a small, teasing smile pulled up one corner of his mouth. He clasped his hands behind his head, wincing slightly as it stretched one of his more vicious wounds. He went to cross his ankles but seemed to think better of it.

  "Like whatcha see Miss Anna?"

  "No, I most certainly do not! Close your eyes!"

  Daniel laughed but did as he was told without hesitation, singing a jolly sounding song as he tapped his uninjured foot on the ground to an imagined rhythm. Annabel removed her clothes with as much speed as she could and jumped into the stream, splashing the men on the shore.

  As her head broke the surface she could hear Daniel's deep laugh before he resumed his song. She snatched the soap off the side and began scrubbing herself and her clothes. She didn't want to put her heavy dress back on wet so she laid it down on the ground and ducked under the water again, choosing to take a swim whilst her dress dried. She wasn't particularly good at swimming, there had never been a need for it - it was not proper for someone of her standing. She realised quite quickly that swimming was much more effort than she had previously thought. She was out of breath after only a few strokes but continued to swim until her limbs burned, relishing in the feeling of her muscles stretching out, the supple flesh tightening and toning. Pausing for a while she noticed Daniel was now sat up watching her with a smile on his face.

  "Thought you were making a getaway for a minute there," he teased. "But I don't think you'd get very far swimming like that."

  "What do you mean?" She had thought she was doing really well.

  Still dressed in his undergarments, he lowered himself slowly back into the stream, wincing as the cool water hit his wounds again. Annabel instinctively backed away from him, covering as much of her body as she could with her hands. Daniel did not even try to approach her but simply took off, slicing through the water quickly and effortlessly in an impressive front crawl, hardly even making a splash.

  "Like that," he said, careful to remain on the opposite side of the stream to Annabel who was still blushing profusely, the water up to her chin.

  "Well, I don't really have much use for swimming, it isn't proper." She tilted her chin upwards, just as she would have done at the manor. She didn't like being shown up.

  "Begging your pardon Ma'am," Daniel said in a mockery of Annabel's upper class dialect, bowing his head towards her and touching an imaginary hat. He splashed her again and this time she laughed, realising how ridiculous she had sounded.

  "Snob," he muttered, laughing as he resumed his swim, this time a simpler breast stroke which she tried to imitate, turning it into more of a doggy paddle.

  Daniel laughed again, splashing her every time she got it wrong but still keeping a few feet away from her at all times.

  After a while, both their fingers now resembling small, particularly shrivelled prunes, Annabel had somewhat mastered it and Daniel heaved himself back onto the grass, with a little help from Patsy who had climbed out a good hour before.

  The sun beat down on their heads; their clothes now bone dry in the heat. Annabel once more forced everyone to turn around before climbing back into her warm dress. She lay in between Daniel and Patsy, spreading her hair out behind her so the sun could dry it.

  Genevieve made a small noise, not quite a cry but still a sound of discomfort.

  "Jen `ungry. Goin' for walk," Billy stated.

  "I'll come with you," Patsy said as she got to her feet, brushing the back of her skirt to rid it of any dirt.

  "Mind if I stay `ere?" Daniel asked, wincing as he shifted.

  "I'd mind if you came Dani. Rest."

  "Jen wanna see forest," Billy said, interrupting Daniel's laughter.

  "Well Jen, check the snares for me."

  "She will," Patsy giggled, swatting her brother on the head.

  Once they were on their own, Annabel and Daniel lay side by side, feeling the sun gently warm their faces. The only sound was their slow breathing.

  Although Annabel had been close to Daniel for days now, she quickly became very aware of his body beside her, in a way she had never felt before. His hand seemed to give off a strange heat, radiating through hers only an inch away. A light breeze rustled the leaves above them. They watched as one fell, shining emerald green in the light as it spun through the air. It landed at the base of Annabel's neck. Propping himself up on one elbow, grimacing at the pain, Daniel leant forwards and picked it off, brushing his fingers over Annabel's skin with a deliberate slowness. His face turned serious and he bent down a little further, pressing his
lips against hers.

  They had barely touched yet a fire ignited itself within her.

  Daniel focused his gaze on Annabel's, a frown returning to his face as he misinterpreted her motionless stature.

  "Do that again," Annabel whispered.

  Daniel laughed softly, their breath mixing together in the small space between them. He placed his rough palm against Annabel's cheek and touched his mouth once more to hers. This time he pressed just that little bit harder and a sound escaped his mouth. Annabel pulled away, a look of concern in her eyes. Daniel looked crestfallen.

  "What's wrong?" Annabel asked, tracing her fingers over the almost healed bruise on the side of his face. "Did I hurt you?"

  He laughed, shaking his head. A blush rose slowly up his neck.

  "No, I - I liked it."

  "Oh, I thought you were hurt."

  Smiling, she kissed him once more. As he began kissing her too, he slid his fingers into her damp hair. She ran her own palms over his back, this time smiling at the small moan this brought to his lips. They were oblivious to everything around them, only breaking away from each other when their need for air became too strong to resist. They rested their foreheads together, drunk off their own happiness and laughed softly.

  "Billy and Patsy should be back soon." Daniel pulled himself up into a sitting position. "They've been gone ages, so they must have found some good rabbits."

  "Should - should we build a fire then?" Annabel said clearing her mind to attempt normal thought. Daniel smiled.

  "You're learning! Yeah, I'll get wood."

  He brushed her lips with his own one more time and then stood up, hobbling into the dense forest around them. Just before he disappeared he looked back at her and chuckled, as if in disbelief. Annabel sat on the grass in a daze with her fingers pressed against her lips, marvelling at how his had felt there. She could still taste him; still feel his hands on her skin. A thrill ran through her blood as she saw his lean frame stagger back into the clearing.

  By this time, Patsy and Billy were also returning. In Patsy's arms was a large pot. Lowering it to the ground, Annabel saw it contained a knife, three dead rabbits and a few muddy potatoes.

  "We wen' back for the pot and knife but we found the `tatoes in the woods. The rabbits were in your traps Dani. Oh and we fed Jen."

  Daniel lit the fire by piling dry leaves and grass on top of the wood and striking two stones together in a practiced fashion. Patsy and Billy skinned and gutted the rabbits whilst Annabel was given the task of removing the meat from the bones. The others laughed at Annabel's squeamishness during this task. They rinsed the potatoes in the stream, filling up the bucket with just enough water to cover the food and placed the pot on the heat as Daniel got back into his clothes.

  The mood that evening was one of pure joy. Annabel had never thought she could feel like this with nothing more than a humble meal and the company of people she could now call her friends.

  They ate so much stew they thought they would burst, drinking from the stream when the need struck them. They sang songs, told jokes and danced around the fire until they were too dizzy to stand. Anybody watching would have thought them drunk or insane but they were just young, completely oblivious to anything other than themselves and the simple happiness of this moment.

  As the darkness grew heavier, their hearts turned cold with the knowledge they would have to return, for surely someone would notice their absence soon if they had not already. Climbing back up the rocks they went into the dense trees in pairs, clinging to each other and giggling with childish fears of shadows, each trying to scare the others.

  Annabel and Daniel quickly dropped behind due to Daniel's injured leg. Annabel secured her arm around Daniel's waist, supporting him as he walked. He in turn wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Every time he touched her, the memories of Trevor's foul touch were replaced by this new, thrilling tenderness.

  "Follow me," Daniel whispered in her ear, turning around so they were heading back towards the stream.

  "Where are we going? Daniel, this is the wrong way."

  "Jus' trust me."

  Annabel's eyes roamed ahead of her as she scanned the forest for signs of where they could be heading. Daniel led them back down the steep bank to the stream and continued parallel to it for another few minutes.

  "Here we are," he declared, stopping.

  "Where's here? I don't see anything."

  Daniel let go of Annabel and bent forwards, moving the branch of a tree that had begun to grow down the bank. Behind it Annabel noticed a large hole, almost like a human sized burrow. A cave of sorts.

  "What is it?" Annabel asked.

  "Home," he answered.

  "Did you make this?" Annabel looked around as she walked inside the hide out, bent double so she could fit. It wasn't very deep, but it was large enough for them to both sit easily inside of it, a safe enough distance from the entrance.

  "Nope. It was already here. I made it a little bigger though."

  The den was dark, smelling of rich earth and Daniel. There was a blanket spread over the ground to form a sort of carpet and another one bundled up in the corner.

  Annabel looked outside, watching the moonlight reflecting off of the stream that gently trickled through the trees.

  "It's beautiful."

  "Mhmm."

  Annabel looked over at Daniel who was sat a few inches away from her, the whites of his eyes glistening in the shadows.

  "I come here to think," he told her. "When everythin' is too much. When I can't stand it no more."

  "Then...why have you bought me here?"

  "'Cuz you're in my every thought anyway."

  Annabel smiled as Daniel leant forwards and kissed her again. She rested her head on his shoulder.

  They sat like that for about an hour, until Daniel shifted again, moving towards the entrance and holding out his hand. Annabel took it, following him to the stable.

  When they arrived back, Genevieve was fast asleep in Billy's also unconscious arms down beside the horses. Patsy was nowhere to be found.

  Daniel collapsed onto the floor almost as soon as they were through the doorway, his exhaustion clear in his eyes.

  "Will you stay with me again Anna?" he asked.

  "Always."

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next day, despite the healing he still had to undergo, Daniel had to resume his chores. Thus, he left at the first light of dawn, not returning until just before dusk. As soon as she saw him heading towards her at the end of the day, Annabel ran to him. All day she had been thinking about the kiss, her entire body tingling with anticipation. The feeling grew stronger with every hour Daniel wasn't in her sight. Taking his hand she led him back toward the woods. She knew what she was about to do was rushed. It went against everything she had ever been taught. Yet she needed this. She needed to take back control - not only of her life, her future, but also her body.

  "Come with me. I - I want to try something. You make me better Daniel. Every time you touch me, I get better."

  "Where are we going?"

  "Trust me," she laughed.

  "You're in a good mood."

  "I'm with you. Why wouldn't I be?"

  Daniel chuckled, limping along beside her.

  She led them, with directions from Daniel, back towards the den.

  "Can you kiss me again?" she whispered, standing directly in front of him when they reached the entrance.

  Daniel placed his hands on either side of her face, drinking in her features with a look so full of love Annabel almost didn't understand it. He crushed his soft mouth over hers whilst his hands ran down her arms, spreading trails of electricity everywhere he touched. Her hands began to wander as well, tentatively at first, resting on his back then creeping beneath his shirt to feel the warmth of his skin on her palms. As the kiss deepened she pressed herself against him. Annabel stumbled backwards, turning to scramble inside the den. Clumsily she undid the buttons running down Daniel's front as
he appeared inside as well, desperate to feel more of his warm skin. Her shaking fingers took an age to pull the small buttons through their fraying holes. He broke away, undoing his trousers and kicking them to the side, catching his foot as he did so and stumbling forwards. Annabel caught him, laughing as they toppled over. Daniel's warm body was soon pressed on top of her, his lips caressing her neck. Despite the tenderness of Daniel's touch, Annabel froze. Panic filled her system as she remembered the last time she had been in such a situation.

  "Anna?"

  Annabel's mouth had gone dry. She tried to swallow, squeezing her eyes shut. Daniel's thumbs made little circles on her cheeks, bringing her back to the present. She opened her eyes.

  "I'm sorry. I just, I remembered with - with him."

  Daniel looked horrified and Annabel closed her eyes again to block out his expression, regretting her reaction.

  "Hey...Anna, look at me," he whispered and Annabel felt his lips touch her forehead. She opened her eyes but twisted her head to the side, still avoiding his gaze.

  "I'm sorry."

  "You `ave nothin' to be sorry for. I'm not makin' you do anythin' Anna. You say the word an' I'll go outside. We don't `ave to do this. I promise."

  "I want to Daniel."

  "Please Anna, don' jus' `cuz you think I wanna."

  "No listen to me Daniel." Annabel lay back again to look into his eyes once more. "I want to be as close to you as I can get. Being with you makes me happier than I have ever been in my life. It makes me forget. I need you."

  Daniel smiled and placed another kiss on Annabel's forehead.

  "I'd never hurt you Anna."

  Annabel groped downwards and pulled the dress from over her head. The awkwardness of the gesture broke the tension in the air and dissolved them back into easy laughter. This time when his body pressed against hers she only kissed him that bit harder, her hands running once more over his bare skin.

  Annabel couldn't believe she could be this happy. She had heard this was a means to an end, for married people only and nothing enjoyable. Yet she and Daniel fit together like two pieces of a puzzle, lost in their own world, each revelling in the others' pleasure. He kissed every inch of her, gazing into her eyes with so much love it caused her to cry out against his mouth, arching her back.