When they looked at me, they saw a God.

When I looked in the mirror, I saw a scared girl.

When she looked at me, she saw a nervous wreck.

The only person who had ever understood me. Jordan Archer.

That day, we sat together on a picnic blanket.

Jordan's brown eyes slanted to my own. "Hey."

I looked up. "Yeah?"

"When are you going to tell them to fuck off?"

I blinked. "Who?"

Jordan sat up straight. "You know damn well who I mean. Those pieces of shit that abuse you!"

A small smile spread over my lips and I took her hand. "They don't abuse me. I lend them my power."

She scowled at me. "You let them take advantage of you."

"They're my followers. What else am I supposed to do?" I asked, confused.

Her chest rose and fell with effort, like she was angry. She pulled her hand out of mine.

"Give it up."

My gaze snapped to hers. "I can't do that and you know it. Without me, my followers would have nothing."

"Then let them!" She yelled. "I don't care! Just don't leave me!"

Her eyes and nose were red, and her chest heaved. She raked a hand through her hair.

My face softened. "I won't leave you. I'll be here in spirit."

"I don't want just your spirit." Her voice was quieter, shaky. "I just. . .can't do this without you. Please, don't let them take you from me."

Her lower lip quivered slightly, and she turned away.

I scooted closer and put my hand on her cheek, pulling her gaze back to mine. "Jordan, I. . ." I trail off. Really, I have no words of comfort for her. I have to leave her, whether I want to or not.

A man came then.

"My lady, we have to depart now."

I looked at him. Then back to Jordan. She sniffled and wiped her nose.

"Go. Wouldn't want to keep your precious followers waiting." There was a painful bite to her words.

"One moment," I said to the man. He nodded and left. I turned to Jordan. "You're the only one who ever treated me like a person. Not a god, not a disappointment, but a human being."

A tear streaked down her face, and I wiped it with my thumb. "So, why are you going?"

My heart twisted. "Because I have to."

Tears pricked my eyes.

She put her hand on mine. "No, you don't."

I kissed her then, because if I didn't, she would convince me to stay. I kissed her deep and then ran. Ran away into the sunlight and didn't look back.