"It is not darkness in my heart, just emptiness waiting for the sun."- Unknown.

Melissa's POV:

It's been four days since that storm appeared and shook our lives. I look at the clear sky wondering where things went wrong.

The asylum was surrounded by news reporters and police for two days. It was stated that Eric's car was attacked by serial killers but when Doctor Donald happened to pass by, he got involved too.

Rest is just based of theories of several people claiming that he worked with the serial killers. No one really knows who drugged Doctor Donald but it was assured that it happened around Eric's parent's death.

I breathe in sharply remembering the images of Bella's body taken away on a stretcher along with Chloe and Eric. Emma has lost her senses since the day her sister passed away. She became a shell without any soul.

After she came back from hospital biding her sister a final farewell, Emma changed. She barely talked or ate food, I had to feed her several times and stay with her during the nightfall.

Eric and Chloe were the only two who made it out alive from the gruesome and insane situation. Aiden happened to find Chloe after asking the sisters who witnessed her going upstairs that day. Since that day, Aiden zoned out from reality.

A shudder passes me recalling the past memories where A and I had to bear the horrendous murders of several people. If I were in his pace, I wouldn't act any different. He only tried to calm and stay by Emma's side the first two days, but she didn't react to anything or anyone.

Eric was severely injured like Chloe; both had to be evacuated to an emergency room in the hospital. Eric is still under recovery whereas Chloe got discharged from hospital today.

I tap my feet impatiently gazing at the black gates of the asylum. Chloe will be arriving anytime soon.

I heard the police did put Chloe under pressure, investigating about the case to no avail. They probably gave up, discovering Chloe suffers amnesia.

I glance over my shoulder, Xavier stood leaning against the wall. His eyes were set on the gate waiting for someone who killed his peace these past days.

I sigh and look away. Eric was supposed to start a new life, he didn't deserve such misfortune. My heart clenches in pain thinking about him. His next stay will be decided by the higher authorities after his recovery.

They provided the child heavy security until the case is solved, in case he might be attacked again.

My stomach twists, my anguish burning every ounce of my patience.

Everyone is lost after that day. I tried to console Emma and Aiden but they wouldn't respond to me. Xavier is the only one around since then, hiding his shock and discomfort to ease my worries.

Something about Xavier changed within me. He started to act more different and gained control over his self consciousness. The guy kept checking on three of us ever since Bella's death.

Several new doctors were hired in the asylum. Rachel and Trinity were busy with the police and the press. They kept visiting the town whenever the police summoned them.

The security cameras in the asylum screamed evidence for this case. They captured Dr.Donald returning to hospital late night in his car and taking out a huge jute sack, covering Eric's body in it.

Once he took the bag upstairs, he somehow wandered down only to find Bella outside the lady's washroom, heading towards her room. He dragged the helpless girl with him upstairs and no one was around to help.

At first, the higher authorities decided to shut down the asylum and transfer patients to other towns and some of us to city. Courtesy to Rachel, she handled the situation and our home won't be taken away by anyone.

A loud horn snaps me out of my train of thoughts. The gates open with a loud creak. A nurse accompanies Chloe inside the asylum.

I felt Xavier rushing to my side watching the scene.

My eyes land on Chloe who walked slowly towards the asylum, her head hung low. A white bandage was wrapped around her head and her left wrist.

She looks up hazily and our gazes meet. Emotions swirled in me like a hurricane, my guard dropping. I missed her.

A sob escapes my dry lips, my eyes tearing. I dash towards Chloe and embrace her. My arms wrap around her neck gently and I snuggle closer to her.

I felt her body growing stiff under my touch.

I place my palms on her shoulders and peel away from her. The nurse leaves Chloe with us, walking away.

It was then I noticed that something was off. I frown at Chloe, studying her face. Her eyes stood out.

They lost the charm and softness. She has eye bags on her pale face. Her hazel orbs are so dull, shadowed by her grief and misery.

Chloe stares back at me, her gaze digging into my soul. My heart picks up speed and worry dances on my own face.

"Chloe...? " She stares not responding with her lifeless eyes. I managed to see a small hint of guilt in them before it disappeared. Maybe I imagined it.

I back off from Chloe in confusion. Did the hospital replace someone with the Chloe we knew?

"H-how are you?" I glance at Xavier standing next to me. His eyes scanned Chloe with concern. This time Chloe shifts her attention to Xavier.

Her expression doesn't change nor did her eyes. Xavier takes a step forward, trying his luck, "You good?"

No reaction.

I wipe away my tears, anger seething into me, more like exhaustion taking over me.

" Chloe what-" She walks past me cutting me off.

A pang of hurt shoots in my chest as I stare into nothing but air. My face contorts in pain from rejection and I turn on my heels.

I stare at her back as she walks towards the asylum, disappearing around the corner.

Is this really Chloe?

I glance at Xavier in worry. He stares ahead before looking at me. Those blue orbs showed pain but he quickly masked it.

"Let's go in, she must be really exhausted." With that he walks off in the same direction Chloe went. I follow him, trying to get rid of this weird feeling of rejection and pain.

I should have given her some space. Chloe is the only one among us who witnessed the most gruesome and the worst sites of all.

We walk inside the building, heading towards the one place Chloe possibly went to. Our room.

I take the lead, Xavier trails behind me silently. I find myself becoming more edgy and tensed by each passing second.

I rush past few patients and their nurse and finally reach the point. I gulp and push past the door that was left half open.

I step into our room with Xavier closely behind me. Aiden sat up in his bed staring at Chloe in disbelief. I personally wouldn't be surprised if he forgot that today she was being discharged.

In the corner of the room, Emma sat on her sister's bed, sobbing loudly as she hugged Chloe.

A relief washes over me seeing Chloe reacting. She stood in front of Emma returning the hug and gently stroking her blonde hair.

The room falls in silence. My own tears start to stream seeing Emma break down in this way.

Chloe breaks away from Emma and kneels down in front of her.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't make it in t-time." Chloe intoned taking me by surprise.

She blames herself for Bella's death. Emma shakes her head furiously, crying harder than before. I swallow the lump in my throat and walk towards the girls.

I sit down on the soft mattress beside Emma, holding her frail form. She leans against my shoulder, crying silently on her irrecoverable loss. I gently stroke her hair, afraid that my touch will shatter her further more.

I glance at Chloe who was already looking at me. Her eyes were red, holding guilt and agony in them. She gets up from her position, standing in front of me.

" I'll be leaving this place soon." My eyes grow wide in horror, staring at her in disbelief.

She looks away from me, mumbling slowly but clear enough for everyone to hear, " All this stuff will stop happening once I leave."

My jaw slightly hangs open as I look at her dumbfound. Xavier was the first to speak.

" It's useless to blame all this on yourself Chloe."

She swiftly turns towards him firing back.

 " It 'is' my fault. All of this wouldn't have happened if I didn't come here in the first place." She screams back in frustration and this time hurt crosses Xavier's face and he didn't bother covering it.

Aiden gets up walking to Chloe. He grabs her shoulder, shaking her form.

"You're being stupid. Look I've been through, I blamed myself for peoples death for years but trust me this is wrong." Aiden's words reminded me how I blamed myself for cowering away in the shadows and never fighting hard enough for both of us.

My heart clenches as the quarrel in the room starts rising up. Emma breaks away from me staring at the scene wide eyed.

Chloe frowns at him, removing his arms. She points her finger at him and starts in commanding tone,

" You don't know anything about me. Hell you don't even know what I'm talking about."- she shakes her head continuing- " Only if I died that night, years back, none of this would have happened, Bella would have been alive-"

Just before Chloe can finish rambling, Emma gets up from the bed. She turns Chloe by grabbing her shoulders harshly, cutting her off.

Before any of us could react, she slaps Chloe. The room falls into deadly silence. Chloe covers her hand over her cheek, her loose hair covering half of her face. A sob escapes her lips, then another.

" Just shut up!" Emma shrieks at her.

"Who are you to blame yourself and make pathetic excuses? Who are you to decide when a person should die or not? Who are you to judge everyone's journey!?"

My hand covers my mouth, suppressing a threatening cry. Emma's chest heaves up and down as she relishes her agony on Chloe that was bottled for days.

For some reason, I couldn't help but feel Emma is right.

" Answer us Chloe." She provokes her further. Aiden walks to Emma trying to stop her, but she shrugs him off instantly.

A chuckle leaves Chloe, turning into a small laugh. She looks back at Emma, shaking her head. Everyone in the room stares at Chloe ridiculously. My eyebrows furrow at her.

Chloe turns around walking towards the door, ready to leave. She tries to walk past Xavier but he stops her with his arm, blocking the exit.

" Let us help you, you're not alone." He whispers softly and I could sense the pleading tone, desperation leaking from him.

All of our eyes were set on Chloe, her back facing us. I could make out her shoulders tensing at his words.

" No, don't follow me. I'll make it a living hell for you all."

I'm unable to see Chloe's face but I can imagine her piercing glare fixed on Xavier. His face changes into a unreadable expression but he doesn't move.

"Chloe, take your time but don't leave this place yet." I mumble loud enough for everyone to hear.

She ignores my comment. For a moment, I wanted attention from her, getting tired of her rejection.

This time Aiden speaks, mostly muttering to himself. "This isn't like you Chloe."

"Let me help you Chloe, we can get through this." Xavier presses on her and she snaps her head at him, yelling at him,

" It's none of your business Xavier!"

With that word, his arm drops to his side. "Fine, leave if that's what you want."

He backs off and walks away in other direction, leaving her alone. Chloe's shoulder slump but she walks out of the room not sparing another glance at any of us.

And just like that things changed between us.

----

Sorry for the wait :)

Short chapter but next one will be worthy, promise :D

Love,

Cadance.