CHAPTERTWO
1093 Words
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CHAPTER TWO
The drugs didn't work.
I tried to sleep but I could feel a pull waking me up.
Sweat soaked my clothes. I got out of bed and ran out of the house. It was freezing but I couldn't stay alone.
Dad.
I dialed his number quickly. He picked almost immediately.
“Dad, I… I can't stay here alone. I'm getting paranoid.”
“Breathe in, baby. Isn't Pascal with you?”
“We had a fight, Dad. Please come home.”
“s**t, baby. There was an accident. I'm… I'm sorry, I can't be there. Your friends are having a party tonight, why don't you go?”
“Dad, they aren't my friends!” I snap, wheezing. “THEY HATE ME! EVERYONE HATES ME IN THIS GODDAMN PACK!”
Silence.
I run my hand through my hair. “I shouldn't have called you, I'm sorry. It's selfish of me to—”
“Don't. Don't apologize.” I could hear him sobbing. “Without your mother it's so freaking hard.”
I press my lips together, clenching my fists. “You should take care of your patients… I'll go to the party.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod like he'd see me. “Yeah. Pascal would be there… uh, maybe we could make up.”
“…Have fun, baby. I promise it'd be better.”
“…Bye, Dad.”
“I love you, Ariel. Way more than you think exists.”
I end the call.
I change into a lethal skirt and blue shirt and hide my pale skin with light makeup. I don't bother with my hair.
The river is just a few miles from my house. My heart keeps echoing loudly in my head. I haven't gone to a party since I turned 18.
Stares are the first thing I get when I step into the party. Shock. Disgust. Excitement all mixed together. This time I don't look away.
At least I try not to, and it… it feels normal. I don't care. It isn't unusual.
I grab a cup of alcohol from the table and drink it all at once. Two. Four. Maybe it'd knock me out.
I reach out for another one but someone snatches it. I look up to see Zade. He gulps it down, leaning casually against the table.
I swallow and look away. Don't get scared, Ariel.
We stand in silence. My vision begins to blur. I try to lean on the table to steady myself. Instead, I nearly fall, but an arm hooks around my waist.
Zade's eyes are wide in surprise. Maybe that he caught me. I touch his chest to steady myself, and he jerks like I'm fire.
I get to my feet and push a strand of hair from my eyes.
“Sorry.” Cinnamon.
He shakes his head, adjusting himself. “You shouldn't be here, kitty. As much as I don't like you, I'd advise you to get out before my brother sees you.”
“Why aren't you making a scene already? Both of you aren't different, are you?”
He clenches his jaw, his eyes meeting mine—raw and intense. “I have no f*****g idea what's come over me but… I despise myself so much for hating what my brother did to you.”
“Liar. You must have loved seeing me ruined so much you came to see what was left of me!”
“I wish that's why I came back,” he lowers his voice, low, dead, and calm, his eyes burning into mine. “I don't know why I scent you everywhere I go, kitty. It drives me nuts, and if I were you…”
He leans close to me, his lips near my ear. I feel the pull deep in my chest and I swear I almost jerk forward.
“I'd stay the hell away from me tonight.”
He walks away.
I forget how to breathe for a moment before I catch Pascal passing by holding two cups of alcohol. His presence gives me a bit of relief.
I limp towards him.
“Pascal!”
He jerks around, eyes wide. “Ariel… what are you doing here?”
“Couldn't sleep.” I stumble a little, my head spinning. “The drugs didn't work. I took some alcohol but it's just giving me a goddamn headache.”
“And who is this, Pascal?!” a female says, coming out of nowhere and standing by his side.
My shoulders drop.
Pascal's jaw tenses. “Uh, she's my… cousin…”
“Oh, and where's my drink?”
He offers her one cup while I stand there, my brain not seeming to understand him. “Pascal, since when did I become your cousin? I'm your—”
“Ari! Did you have too much alcohol?!”
“Pascal don't you dare.”
“Sorry, excuse me, babe. I think she's had too much to drink.” He says nervously before grabbing my hand and taking me away from her.
“Pascal who the hell is she?” I snap.
“Calm down, Ari. I wanted to tell you this earlier but I didn't know how to say it.”
“No.”
“I can't do this anymore. I can't keep dealing with your paranoia—”
“Bloody liar!” I basically scream. “You are breaking up with me because I didn't want to have s*x with you!”
“Lower your voice, Ariel!”
“Why? So everyone can hear how much of a f*****g ass you are!”
He turns red, pointing at me. “What exactly do you think you are? You should be lucky I'm dating you. Who else would want to date a f*****g psychopath who has no wolf and still can't sleep because she watched her mother die!”
The world spins. The music does. People whisper.
I am running. I don't know where but I'm running. Maybe to the bridge. Somewhere I can end all this and be with my mother again.
I'm sorry, Dad. I'm so sorry I have to leave you all alone. I'm selfish, I know.
I reach the bridge and stand on the edge.
“Goddess, if there's a next life, I do not wish to be reborn. I don't wish to bear this madness again. Let my body never be found.”
“Ariel!”
I don't look back. Not when Zade calls my name. I have made my decision.
So I let go.
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- Writer
