𝓣𝓻𝓾𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓼 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽, 𝓶𝓪𝔂𝓫𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓲𝓷 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽.

"Where the fuck is she?" My blood immediately turns cold, and my alarmed eyes meet Jade and Riona's. I grip the food I'm holding tightly, not knowing what to do. Is it possible that the people asking for me are them? Because there would be no one else who would want to see me. My first instinct is to hide, but that instinct quickly diminishes as soon as I see Cass and Lee.

"Ari," Lee whispers, tears springing into her eyes. They both hug me, careful not to hurt me or squeeze me.

"This is all a mess," Cass mutters into my ear. "I wish there was a way we could stop all this."

"I'm seriously fine, guys," I say and roll my eyes.

"No, you're clearly not," Lee snaps, pulling away. I immediately miss the warmth and safety that I feel whenever they're holding me.

"All of this is plain chaos," Cass whispers, "We can move to Cali! Yes, Ari, we need to get out of here." She starts moving around, hysterical.

"Stop," I plead, "stop, you guys are over-reacting."

"You think we're over-reacting, Arabella?" Lee asks. "We almost lost you in that basement. But then you came here and built yourself a new life and made friends. Jade was with you and you were safe, and we were happy that you were away from all that shit. But now they've come back! And we can't stand the thought of losing you, you're the only one we have left except for Jade. You tell us how you'd react if you got a call at midnight saying that your best friend is in the hospital and may not survive. And furthermore, how would you feel if you didn't get tickets to go and meet her for what was maybe the last time? How would you react if you didn't get to say goodbye?

"We've felt that kind of helplessness. Twice. We could do nothing as you bled on that basement floor. We heard your cries, your screams for help, we saw you go through all that and we could do nothing. And now, we were here in Bellmore while you fought for your life. We could do nothing except pray and ask Jade how you've been doing. When will this end Arabella? When will you be free? When will you be able to live without the fear of someone ending your life?"

By this time she finishes, tears are rolling down her cheeks, her eyes red and her lower lip trembling. I look over to Cass, who is in the same condition. Looking at the state of my best friends, I realize how selfish I've been, and how much I've hurt them. They're held back because of me.

They shouldn't have had to leave everything here because of me. They shouldn't have to live in fear. All of this was my fault. I kept them with me, I made friends with them, knowing that they were after me. I knew what it would be like if they were my friends, and I still remained friends with them. They did so much for me, they saved me, gave me my first time everytime they did something, they helped me survive and here I am, giving them pain and grief.

Fucking friend of the year.

I can't hurt them anymore, I can't bring them more pain. I've caused them enough pain to last them a lifetime. They did nothing to deserve this. They did nothing to be hurt again and again when it wasn't even their fault. I have to make a decision.

I close my eyes and take a couple deep breaths. My body tenses up and my chest tightens. I rub my hands on the comforter as they get clammy. Cold sweat breaks out on my forehead and I feel my heartbeat speed up and blood rushing in my ears. I swallow down the bile that's rising up as I prepare myself for what I'm about to do.

I open my eyes with as much as hate and spite as I can muster. I can tell that both of them are taken aback as they flinch. I hear my voice crack a little but I don't let my expression waver as I speak. "I'm lying here, hurt, and all you care about is how you feel? Did you ever ask how I'm feeling? You're selfish, both of you. I should've realized the day you decided to do nothing. I should've left you there to die. You're both as ungrateful as they come. Get out of here, both of you, and never show me your faces again."

I have to do this.

This is the best option.

Who even cares?

'You do, stupid,' a meek voice from my heart whispers.

"Do you even hear yourself, what are you saying? These are the drugs messing with your head," Cass says, trying to break the glaring contest between me and Lee.

"Oh no, I'm thinking straight. You two are just here to whine and be a brat about how you've got no one, so if you want to be that selfish, then just get out and leave me alone." I clench my teeth and close my eyes, pretending as if I don't even want to look at their faces when in reality I'm trying to keep the tears at bay.

"You'll regret your words in the future, Arabella," Lee says with a hard voice, "And when you do you'll crave and beg for the love and concern of a friend, but you'll never get it. You'll be dying but you'll never have the solace of a friend, and that day you'll realize what you've said and how much damage you've done."

I hear her and agree with her, but I still don't make any move to open my eyes. I listen to their footsteps as they walk away and the door as they slam it shut. Moments later another door closes, indicating that they've left. I slowly open my eyes and let the tears fall. I rest my back against the headboard, and the cries turn into full blown sobs as I grieve.

The sounds of my heart-wrenching sobs fill the room and my clammy, trembling hands take hold of whatever they can, squeezing the life out of it. I bring the pillow in my hand to my chest, hugging it as I cry. I try to muffle my cries, making sure I'm silent and not disturbing anyone.

A nauseous feeling takes over me as bile rises in my throat. I throw the pillow and with the help of the side table and the bed I stand up on one leg. My stomach screams in protest at the sudden movement but I just hop as fast as I can with the help of the wall.

As soon as I reach the turn, the floor starts spinning and the urge to throw up increases. I start panting as I grip the wall harder. Tears spring to eyes again as I try to take another step further, but I accidentally put my weight on my injured foot. I yelp and quickly shift my weight, but unfortunately the dizziness increases and I lose my footing. I start to fall backwards but before I can fall a hand wraps itself around my waist.

The familiar sparks tell me that it's Albert. He takes my left hand and wraps it around his neck and supports my weight. I look at him through my eyelids and see his concerned gaze on me.

"Washroom," I whisper, "P-puke." I can barely make a coherent sentence but he understands. He takes me to the washroom and helps me stand in front of the sink.

A putrid taste fills my mouth as I throw up. Albert holds my hair back and rubs my back while I throw up the dinner I had earlier. I dry heave once I'm done throwing up. Tears flow down my cheeks as I look at myself in the mirror. But before I can take in my looks Albert hands me a clean toothbrush with a bit of toothpaste on it.

I quickly brush my teeth and look at him. By looking at his sympathetic face all of my feelings rush back to me. The tears start flowing again as I think of Lee and Cass. Taking the support of the dark grey wall I slide down and sit on the clean, sparkling floor.

I feel nothing after that. Neither the cold floor I'm sitting on nor the wall supporting me. Not even the pain in my body. I feel numb, tears streaming down my face. I was successful in pushing away two of the few people who cared about me. I'm finally alone. Alone and broken. Just like they wanted.

"I'm sorry," I hear Albert whisper and feel him slide down beside me.

"You heard it?" I ask, afraid that he'll find out my true identity.

"Yeah, sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was just passing by to Riona's room. But then I heard you guys shouting and I just wanted to make sure that y'all were okay," he says and scoots a little closer in a way that makes me feel obliged to rest my head on him. I hesitate but eventually find myself looking forward with my left ear pressed against his shoulder. He welcomes me with open arms as he engulfs my cold trembling hand in his larger warm one and gives it a little squeeze.

"You must think I'm such a bitch," I say and chuckle humorlessly.

"Actually, I think quite the opposite," he says and I look at him with wide, confused eyes. "I was shocked at first, and yeah I did think of you as a bitch, but then I heard you cry your heart out after they left and I put some thought into your conversation. I don't think you would tell me the whole story, but I did learn that someone is trying to get to you and it's getting dangerous. I understand why you did what you did. I would've done the same with Darren, Luc, and Riona."

"All I've done since I've met them is cause pain. Be it emotionally or physically, I've done it all, and now that I see how much they've suffered, I can't let them go through it all over again. There's a possibility that they would never leave me alone, and I've said so many horrible things to them, they would never even give me a second thought even if I was laying on my deathbed. Which hurts, but it's for the best. I know I've hurt them, but they'll get over this and forget about the mean bitch they had in their life.

"I shouldn't even be staying here. They've seen me with you, and now they'll come after you. You all have done so much for me and I'll repay you with pain. I'll end up hurting all of you and then I'll have the pain and misery of so many people on me," I whisper and take in a deep, shaky breath.

"You really think whoever they are would be able to get to me?" He asks, probably trying to lighten up the mood.

"You don't know them, they're smart and cunning and sadistic, they'll become your worst nightmare like they've become mine and then in the end I'll be the one to blame."

"Oh, you don't know me, sweetheart. Listen, I promise you that whoever they are will never get to you or me or anyone you know. You can tell me this story of yours whenever you're comfortable, I won't force you right now. But I will give you protection, and trust me, they'll never be able to get to you," he says, turning his head to look directly at me. I lift my head and look back at him. His lively blue eyes shine with sincerity and promise as he peers at me.

"You don't have to do that," I say, "Hell, you shouldn't do anything for me after I put your sister's and almost everyone you love's life in danger," I say, averting his gaze.

"Riona is more than capable of looking after herself, and I'm glad she decided to help you," he says.

"You couldn't possibly be glad that I put her and your life in danger." I look at him incredulously.

"I'm glad she helped you because I met you. I've found out what an amazing person you are, selfless and caring, not driven by your past. I'm also happy that she decided to help you because I can see how long you've been on your own. All you need right now is a shoulder to lean on and someone you can depend on, you need a break from whatever's happening, and by trusting Riona, you're somewhere near to that," he explains. We sit in silence for a while, but then he speaks again.

"Okay, I think that's enough, you shouldn't be under this much pressure and stress with that concussion you have. Get some rest and just know that you're safe, and so are Riona, Cassandra, and Blakeley."

"Albert?" I ask, and he makes a sound in reply, "Where are my lenses?"

His eyes snap over to me at this question. He looks at me for a few minutes with narrowed eyes as if analyzing me. I gulp and stare back at him.

"At the hospital, probably," he says after a few minutes.

"Is there any way that I can get them back?" I ask.

"I don't think that you'll be able to get them back from the hospital, but I'll get you new ones. Just give me your prescription," he says.

"I- uh, I don't have one," I say meekly and shrink back a little.

"You can see properly without lenses?" he asks. I nod in reply. "Then why do you wear them?"

"To change my appearance. It helps sometimes," I say and shrug.

"Okay," he says, releasing a sharp puff of air, "I'll see what I can do."

"No," I say, "you don't have to do that, it's alright, I'll take care of it."

"Ari," he says in a firm voice, "This is a break that you have. I'm sure Riona knows what's happening so I'll take her to help, you just relax. We'll take care of things for you now, okay?"

I nod and he carries me in bridal style back to the bed and slowly lowers me onto it. He then sets my tray of food in front of me.

"Eat," he says, "I reheated it."

"I don't feel hungry at all," I say as I try to push the tray away.

"Yes, you do. Eat, you need to take your meds," he says.

"I'll just skip them for the day, it'll be fine," I say, not really caring. But then my eyes meet Albert's. His eyes hold a fire, a warning. A warning I would not want to overlook. "I'm eating," I say as I take the first bite. His face softens a little as he shuffles through the first aid box.

A few minutes later I'm done with the food and Albert hands me the meds with a glass of water. I quickly swallow them and shift a little. Albert sees this and understands what's happening. He slightly lifts the covers and helps me get under them. "G'night," he says before walking to the door and flipping the light switch off.

"Albert?" I call into the darkness.

"Yes?" he asks.

"Thank you for saving my life. For helping me, listening to me, and for everything you've done so far," I say with a small smile on my face.

"Anytime, Ari," he says, and I can practically hear his grin showing off his dimples.

Well, that was quite the chapter. Okay, that was a lot. 

Did you like the chapter? Do you think Ari did the right thing? o we like Albert in this chapter?

Also, I would want you all to remember that all the characters in this book are human, well at least partially, so they will not be perfect. they will make stupid decisions, like the one shown in this chapter. So, yeah, try not to get too angry. 

So, if you did like the chapter and thought Ari shouldn't have done that then please vote. Also, tell me in the comments if the chapter was good or not. Also, give me a follow if you want to!

Stay safe and see you with the next chapter!

Edited by the amazing @radiantbubble