"Maybe we will never meet but we can still walk together like parallel lines to infinity and beyond."- Unknown

Chloe's POV:

I walk past people gathered in the corridors. Everything looks dulls inside and out in my perspective. A dull ache tugs my heart.

I pass the cafeteria, glancing at the usual crowd settling for the dinner. I halt at the doorway considering my thoughts.

This is probably going to be my last day here. I've decided to move out of the asylum using the agreement. My stay for four months will come to an end by tomorrow evening.

I stare down at my feet, a swarm of memories I made in this place start to suffocate me.

Inhaling the scent of hot sizzling food, I walk inside the cafeteria. My eyes scan over the groups of patients and stop at one group. Them

Everyone sat in silence eating their meal. Emma was the first one to find me peeking at them. My heart skips a beat when our gazes meet.

Others on the table follow her gaze, finding me standing in the corner. Melissa waves her hand at me, gesturing to join them.

If things were normal, a smile would be on my face as usual and I would run to have dinner with my small family.

A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips. Everyone's gaze studies me. A wave of guilt and pain crashes me when I find Bella and Eric missing in that perfect picture.

Xavier's eyes meet mine and he looks away. He continues eating his food, ignoring me. My heart drops recalling yesterday's events with all of them.

My ghost smile falters away and I turn around on my heels, walking out.

Until everyone finished their dinner, I took my time discovering the changes made since I left the asylum. Many new doctors were hired from the other towns, the upper floors were shut down for time being.

Few of the patients on the third floor were shifted to other towns for better treatment.

I sigh, standing outside the small white office, tapping my feet on the ground. I needed to tell Rachel about my plans on leaving the asylum.

She would be upset just like others but there's no way anyone here can stop me from leaving now that I'm done with my treatment and temporary stay in asylum.

After few minutes of waiting outside the office, one of the new doctors informed me Rachel won't be here for next three days. Trinity will be back before midnight.

I guess I'll just inform them before I step out of this place. I still need to call that one particular inspector I met months back. Mr. Roy.

He will help me find a suitable orphanage in some town. I keep altering my plans based on the outcomes and go on planning.

Hours pass and everyone in the hospital headed back to their rooms.

I didn't bother going to my room, trying to avoid any conversation others may bring up based on my decision.

I look around the small reception at the entrance of the asylum.

Most of the nurses are probably on rounds to check on their patients. The lights of the corridor were switched off, giving a creepy vibe.

I shake my head and make my out of the asylum. I'll try waiting for Trinity's return, it's important that I inform one of them before I ring Mr.Roy.

I pull the glass door and step outside the asylum.

A warm sensation crawls in my heart that's filled with void as I recall everything. A small smile breaks on my face, remembering my first day at this asylum.

The ground is empty, darkness illuminating the area. The dark sky is covered with stormy clouds.

I keep walking further ahead, the cold grass below sways along with the wind.

A loud clap of thunder resonates after the lighting strikes the dark sky. I close my eyes shut and clear all the wild thoughts racing in my head.

I walk further ahead into the darkness away from the asylum. The cool breeze of the weather hits me, calming me down. I walk past the bushy trees, lost in my own world.

Suddenly a hand grabs my arm, yanking me to the side of the tree. Instantly a hand covers my mouth, pinning me to the old trunk. My back collides with the rough surface of the tree and pain shoots up waist.

I try to scream and kick away but to no avail. I can feel my stomach forming knots in panic. Taking a walk during this late at night just happened to be one of my worst decisions.

It's so dark to make out anything or the person holding me. Sweat beads start to appear on my forehead, I try to thrash away but the person wouldn't budge.

His hold on me tightens, digging into my soft skin that will leave a nasty bruise.

The lightning strikes the dark veil of the sky. My eyes bulge out in terror when I spot the silver knife gleaming in his hand as it shines under the lighting.

No one will be around here at this time to help me. There's no way my screams can reach the asylum either.

"Now there, calm down or you die here". The stalker is a woman. I swallow the pulp in my throat. Her voice was hoarse and sharp.

I squeeze my eyes trying to get a look of the stalker only to notice the hood covering her identity.

The loud sound of thunder echoes in the cold night. A shivers runs down my spine. I stand there caged by her, completely petrified and freeze on my spot.

"You see, you were born as a mystery itself. I need you to come with me and help me find your father's cabin." She explains hastily.

"W-what?" My voice comes out as a muffled whisper under her hand. My mind grows numb as I stare back at the dark shadow towering me.

How does she know about the cabin?

I never spoke a word to anyone about my hazy memories. Most importantly she knows whose cabin it is.

She pushes the silver cold metal against my warm neck.

"I'm sure you're craving to know more about the incident of 19th February and your parents." My heart skips a beat hearing her words.

She continues satisfied by my shock expression. Her face turns hard and her voice dark. She leans towards my face.

"It was a murder", she whispers, her lips brushing my cheek before she backs away.

I felt like my knees were about to give up on me and my stomach drops at her terrorizing words.

Murder?

My eyes grow wide as a thought strikes, she was probably there that night. She knows the answers I'm trying to find out.

I try to scan her face to no luck. Before I could process anything, she flings me away like a feather.

I yelp out loud trying to balance on my wobbly feet before tripping on my own legs. I shut my eyes close and prepare to embrace my fall but I felt nothing.

A strong arm wraps around my waist and quickly steadies me back on my feet. I glance up to meet those crystal blue eyes staring back in worry. I furrow my eyebrows at his sudden appearance.

My heart jumps at the sight of him and I mentally calm down seeing him.

Xavier looks behind my shoulder narrowing his eyes. My head snaps back to where I stood with that woman seconds ago but she was gone.

"Chloe, who was there?"

Raindrops start to pour down from the heavens, slowly drenching the earth. My heart drums inside my chest. If she is the cause of all the chaos in this asylum, she won't stop till she gets me.

I grab Xavier's hand, running towards the asylum not waiting for another encounter with her.

It takes a second for him to process that I'm practically dragging him to run with me before he gives in.

"Who was there!?" I ignore his screams, tagging him along with me towards the asylum. I can't let her know about the people I care for, in this asylum. I grasp for air, trying to soothe my growing nerves.

She knows about the cabin. She knows more than that.

I keep running, pulling Xavier with me, partially drenched by the rainfall. We reach the gates of the asylum and I let go of his hand.

A choke escapes me as I try to normalize my breathing. I kneel down, placing my hands on my knee, panting for air.

"C-Chloe w-what's all this a-about." His voice was shaky making me glance at him.

"Why are you here this late at night?" I stand up straight, facing him. He observes me with his captivating gaze. My mind wanders off to our last encounter, making me cringe.

"I asked you first."

I sigh turning away from him and face the doors of the asylum. I can't tell him anything.

I reach for the handle of the glass door when I spot a yellow note below it. I stop and narrow my eyes at it.

This wasn't here earlier.

"Stop ignoring me already." He continues behind, trying to catch my attention.

I peel off the small sticky note from the glass. My eyes scan the words written on it making me stun.

I'll be back in two days, don't try anything stupid. Or they will die just like your blonde friend.

My brain shuts off as I stare at the neat cursive writing. A wave of terror washes me and my hands tremble re-reading every word.

They. It means everyone I care about..

This note has to be from that woman. I was too late to safe Bella and I failed trying to cover others from her evil plans. An unknown tear escapes my eye, making its way down my cheek.

She knows about them. How?

The small note was swiftly snatched by Xavier before I can stop him. I shake my head at him, trying to catch it but he dodges my frail attempts.

He steps back trying to stop me with one arm.

"No! Give that back." I shriek desperately.

His eyes narrow at the writing before they grow wide. He looks back at me searching for answers. For a second, I felt those crystal eyes could read my mind.

I'm not suppose to involve anyone. Another hot tear falls down, anger and frustration engulfing me.

I grab the paper back from him. "Stay out of this Xavier."

He stares at me dumbfounded. He closes his eyelids and opens them. I felt the orbs growing dark as they glared back at me.

A loud thunder resonates in the air and I gulp.

"Tell me what is all this about." I shake my head at him, taking a step back but he grabs my shoulder. My face pales and all the emotions swirl within me.

I wanted to tell, talk to someone, scream about everything that happened.

I swallow the pulp in my throat and eye him seriously. "I told you not to follow me. I'll lead you to hell."

I press again, his gaze studies me closely and his features soften. A soft smile plays on his lips and he lets go of me.

"Trust me. I'll follow you even if it is hell. Not just me, everyone would. Aiden, Emma and Melissa."

My breath hitches and I stare at him, taken aback.

I gape at him slightly and my eyes studying him curiously if he's lying but those eyes spoke sincerity. He slowly takes my trembling hand in his own and tightens his hold.

I look at our intervened hands, tingles pass over my arm from his mere touch.

It hurts. Not because of loneliness but out of fear. Fear of bringing pain to these friends that have become a family for me.

"Everyone's worried about you. If you're trying to protect us, start by telling the truth." He glances at me and opens the door leading me inside.

His words ring in my head like an alarm.

Can I really protect everyone by keeping them in the dark?

I stare at his back numbly wondering what changed him.

He leads me through the corridors towards my room, the one I tried avoiding since yesterday. I squeeze the small paper softly, feeling anxious.

He softly knocks at the door and opens it. The light coming from the room illuminates the dark corridor. I didn't realize that I started to feel nervous and awkward.

I felt Xavier's hand slightly tightening trying to soothe me and it works making me mentally smile.

He steps inside the room and I follow him. I look around to find my friends staring back at me in surprise. Xavier lets go off my hand, the warmth leaves with him.

All three of them were awake sitting up on their beds."What's wrong Chloe, you look worn out." Aiden frowns at me.

My hearts starts to weigh with things that happened these past days, my lips quiver as I stare at him.

"Chloe you okay?" Emma asks from the corner of the room, eyeing me worriedly. Melissa gets up and walks to me.

I realize that I'm struggling to fight back the tears that threatened to spill out. She walks over to me and takes me into a bone crushing hug.

My eyes grow wide in surprise. She holds onto me, this time tears freely fall from my eyes. I return back the hug with same passion and longing.

"You're an idiot." Mel mumbles after breaking the hug. I chuckle and wipe off my tears looking at all of them.

Xavier nods at me and I give him a genuine smile. I sit down at Eric's empty bed and look at them closely. Mel sits beside Aiden and Emma takes a seat next to me. Xavier stands next to Mel, crossing his arms.

I clear my throat and swallow back the tears. "I'm sorry for being such a pain in the ass.I..I-"

I trail off but they all patiently wait for me to continue.

"There's someone trying to get to me because of my past."- I unfold the small creased paper in front of them, Mel grabs it- "If I don't give in, they will try to kill one of you or me."

Aiden peeks into the paper and his eyes widen. Emma quickly snatches the paper and scans it thoroughly.

My heart starts to feel lighter by each passing second.

"Who?" Melissa asks, searching my face for answers. I shake my head at her.

"I found Chloe on the ground with the stalker who probably has access inside the hospital." Xavier says glancing at the note in Emma's hand.

Aiden sits up straight furrowing his eyebrows.

"Bella's death and Dr.Donald getting drugged as something to do with this note. It may even extent up to Eric's car accident."

My face falls as I speak and I look down at my feet. Emma places a hand over my shoulder and I glance at her.

She smiles, her emerald eyes glimmering under the light. "Thank you for saving us that day, for saving Eric and finding Bella before more damage.."

I stare at her dumbly but Mel butts in, "If it wasn't for you, he would have killed Eric and most probably attacked someone at this floor." Emma nods at her.

My heart bursts into millions of emotions, a horrible weight of guilt starts to vanish slowly.

"So this means, serial killers are involved. The one who stalked you could be a killer too." Aiden frowns, rubbing his chin.

"We need to come up with a plan before the deadline in that note." Xavier adds. My mind runs into different directions.

An idea pops in my head. What if...

"We are going to escape from here, break out." I eye them seriously. A wide grin breaks on Melissa's face and she claps her hand, "Sweet."

Emma and Xavier look at each other and they nod at me firmly.

If I need to get out of here, I can get out with those who I care about.

"We don't have much time, we've got two days before the crazy killer will come for you. How do we escape?" Aiden whispers and others nod.

The gears in my head start to move rapidly, "I know a wa-"

I was cut off by a voice from behind.

"W-what you guys are escaping from the asylum?"

We look behind at the door to face one of the doctors in charge, Trinity. Shocked covered her face as she eyed all of us.

Shit, we are busted.

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Stay stunned for more :D

 Love,

 Cadance.