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Chapter 20

Griiq

A sense of unease washed over me. Harlow's invitation to meet her family in Florida hung heavy in the air, a prospect that filled me with both longing and dread. The thought of venturing out into a world that saw me as nothing more than a monster, a creature to be feared and reviled, made my heart sink into the depths of despair.

"Griiq, please," Harlow pleaded, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of hope and determination. "The world has changed. There are others like you now, creatures that once existed only in myth and legend. You won't be alone."

I turned away, my gaze fixed on the ancient stone walls that had been my sanctuary for so long. "I don't know, Harlow. What if they reject me? What if they see only the monster that I am?"

Harlow's soft hand touched my arm, a gentle reassurance that stirred something deep within me. "They won't, Griiq. They'll see you for who you truly are - a kind, brave, and loving soul. Trust me."

I looked into her eyes, those pools of warmth and understanding that had captured my heart from the moment we met. In them, I found the courage to face my fears, to take a leap of faith into the unknown.

"Alright," I conceded, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll go with you to Florida."

Harlow's face lit up with a smile that could rival the sun itself. She threw her arms around me. Her embrace was a balm to my troubled soul. "Thank you, Griiq. You won't regret this, I promise."

The days that followed were a flurry of preparations. Harlow helped me pack, her enthusiasm infectious as she chattered about all the things she wanted to show me in her hometown. I tried to focus on her words, to let her excitement wash away the trepidation that still gnawed at the edges of my mind.

As we stood in line at the airport, I noticed the stares and whispers that followed me. People gawked at my charcoal gray skin, my dark gray hair, and the two short horns that protruded from my head. I pulled my hood up, trying to hide from their scrutiny, but Harlow's hand slipped into mine, a silent reminder that I wasn't alone.

"Next," the airline agent called, her eyes widening slightly as we approached the counter. I handed her our tickets, my heart pounding in my chest as she inspected them.

"Everything seems to be in order," she said, her voice tight with forced politeness. "Have a pleasant flight."

Harlow squeezed my hand, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "See? Nothing to worry about."

As we made our way down the jet bridge, the enormity of what I was about to do hit me like a tidal wave. I was leaving behind everything I had ever known, venturing into a world that had once seemed so hostile and unforgiving.

We took our seats on the plane, Harlow's head resting on my shoulder as the engines roared to life. As we lifted off the ground, I closed my eyes and let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. Whatever the future held, and with Harlow, I had finally found a place where I belonged.

As the plane touched down in Florida,a mix of excitement and trepidation coursed through my veins. Harlow's presence beside me was a constant reassurance, her hand gently squeezing mine as we made our way through the bustling airport. The humid air enveloped us as we stepped outside, a stark contrast to the crisp mountain air I had grown accustomed to.

Harlow led the way to the rental car counter, her infectious smile never wavering as she chatted with the attendant. I stood back, my hood pulled up to conceal my unusual features. The last thing I wanted was to draw unwanted attention to myself in this unfamiliar place.

We settled into the rental car. Harlow grinned eagerly as she squeezed my hand. She chatted away about her hometown, pointing out landmarks and sharing childhood memories as we navigated the sun-drenched streets. I tried to focus on her words, to let her enthusiasm wash away the nervousness that gnawed at the pit of my stomach.

Before I knew it, we were pulling into the driveway of a quaint suburban home. Harlow's parents' house. My heart raced as I stepped out of the car, my hands clenched at my sides. Harlow bounded up the front steps, her finger pressing the doorbell with barely contained glee.

The door swung open, revealing a middle-aged couple with surprised expressions. Harlow's parents. Their eyes widened as they took in their daughter's unexpected appearance, but their smiles quickly faded as their gazes landed on me.

I watched as they flinched, their bodies shrinking back into the doorway. A mix of fear and confusion replaced the warmth in their eyes. My heart sank as I realized that even here, in the presence of Harlow's loved ones, they saw me as a monster.

"Harlow, darling," her mother began, her voice trembling slightly. "What... what is that thing you brought with you?"

Harlow's smile faltered, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Mom, Dad, this is Griiq. The one I've been telling you about. My fiancé."

Her parents exchanged a glance, their discomfort palpable. "Harlow, dear," her father started, his tone cautious. "We didn't realize... we thought..."

I could see the embarrassment rising in Harlow's cheeks, her eyes darting between her parents and me. She took a deep breath, her hand reaching for mine. "Griiq is not a thing. He's the one I love, the one I want to spend my life with. May we come in?"

The silence that followed was deafening. Harlow's parents shifted uncomfortably, their eyes avoiding mine. I could feel the weight of their judgment, the unspoken fear and revulsion that hung in the air. Finally, they opened the door, and we stepped inside.

Harlow's grip on my hand tightened, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I thought you would be happy for me. For us. I never imagined..."

She trailed off, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. My heart ached for her, for the pain and humiliation she must have been feeling. I wanted to wrap her in my arms, to shield her from the hurtful words and dismissive glances.

I knew that this was a battle she needed to fight on her own. A battle for acceptance, for understanding. A battle that would test the strength of our love and the depths of her family's compassion.

As we sat in the living room, Harlow's parents faced a mix of confusion and discomfort. I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. Would they ever see past my monstrous appearance and accept me as a part of their daughter's life?

My heart sank as Harlow's parents stared at me with a mixture of horror and disbelief. Their daughter's words seemed to fall on deaf ears, their minds already made up about the monster that stood before them.

"Mom, Dad, please listen to me," Harlow pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion. "Griiq and I, we've been through so much together. We helped capture the Camazotz, the monster that was terrorizing the community. Griiq risked his life to protect me, to protect everyone."

Her parents exchanged a glance, their faces etched with concern. "Harlow, dear," her mother began, her tone gentle yet firm. "We understand that you've been through a lot, but this... this is not right. You can't possibly think that marrying a... a creature like him is a good idea."

Harlow's eyes flashed with anger, her grip on my hand tightening. "A creature? Griiq is not a creature, he's the man I love. The man who has shown me more kindness, more bravery, and more compassion than anyone I've ever known."

She took a deep breath, her gaze softening as she looked at me. "I fell in love with Griiq because of who he is, not what he looks like. We bonded over our shared experiences, our hopes, and our dreams. He proposed to me, and I said yes because I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

Her father shook his head, his expression hardening. "Harlow, we cannot give our blessing to this... this union. It's unnatural, it's wrong. We won't stand by and watch our daughter throw her life away for a monster."

The words cut through me like a knife, the pain and rejection washing over me in waves. I could see the tears welling up in Harlow's eyes, the hurt and disappointment etched on her face.

I couldn't bear to see her suffer any longer. With a heavy heart, I gently pulled my hand from hers. "Harlow, I... I think it's best if I go."

She turned to me, her eyes widening in surprise. "Griiq, no. You don't have to leave. We can make them understand, we can..."

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's okay, Harlow. I don't want to cause you any more pain. I'll be alright."

With one last look at her parents, their faces still twisted with disgust and fear, I turned and walked out the door.

"Griiq, please," Harlow called after me, but I didn't look back. I couldn't bear to see the tears streaming down her face, the anguish in her eyes.

I made my way into the city, my mind numb with the weight of what had just happened. I found myself at a hotel, booking a room without really thinking about it. As I stepped inside, the door closing behind me, and I felt the full force of my despair crashing down upon me.

I sank to the bed, my back bending as I lowered my face into my hands, and let the tears fall. The rejection from Harlow's parents, the pain of seeing the woman I loved torn between her family and me. It was all too much to bear. I had foolishly believed that our love could conquer all, that the world would see past my monstrous appearance and accept me for who I was.

But now, sitting alone in a strange hotel room, the reality of my situation hit me like a ton of bricks. I was a monster, an outcast, a being that would never truly belong in the human world. And no matter how much Harlow loved me, I knew that our future together was uncertain at best.

Had I made a terrible mistake in allowing myself to fall in love with a human? If the price of that love was the pain and heartbreak that I now felt, then perhaps it was a price too high to pay.

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