Gacha Story (Mature Readers Only)

Hold On

Killian was walking through the corridor of his own home, barely able to keep his footing as he moved, eyes fixed on his feet. "Tallie?" He called out, not searching for her, as if her name was the only the thing that could make him feel better. "Tallie, I'm sorry. I lost my job."

He finally reached the other end of the corridor and entered the room, not knowing what room it was. It was as if his legs had become his brain, seeming to know where he wanted to be. Taliana was lounging on the sofa as he collapsed down on the seat next to her.

Her eyes were searching for his, but his eyes were fixed on the ground, his head tilted down, away from her. He had expected her to yell at him for being so stupid and careless, but her gentle tone surprised him.

"Killian," she asked, "what happened?"

However, he did not dare to look into her eyes, to risk staring into orange disappointment. "I was so stupid."

She bit her lip, waiting for him to carry on, remaining patient with him.

"I should've reported a crime I saw. Not just because I'm a policeman, but because that's what anyone should do. Well, I was a policeman."

She sighed. "Why didn't you?"

He bit his lip. "What crime do you think I'm talking about?" He asked vaguely, head snapping up to finally look at her.

She swallowed, guilty eyes turning away from his frosty ones. "I'm sorry."

He sighed. "It doesn't matter. I wouldn't be able to watch my friends and family go to prison, especially because of me. My job... I don't think I can ever get another one."

"Killian," Taliana started. "You shouldn't be in this position. It's all because of your connection with me. If we weren't together, you'd still have your life."

"Not really," he said. "It wouldn't be much of a life worth living if I didn't have you in it."

There was silence for a few seconds, before Taliana said; "you wouldn't have known about me. You would be happier. Ignorance is bliss."

"Tallie," Killian told her, taking her hand. "I'd rather lose everything I have just to be with you."

"I'm not good for you, Killian," Taliana replied, sighing. "Go and get your job back. I'll just -"

"No," he replied firmly. "Never am I ever going to hurt you in anyway. You're my first priority over myself. And it's not like I can do anything about it now. We're both in trouble. You've been reported too, but now, so have I."

She frowned. "Who did this? Who knew about this?"

"Juliet was there. She knew I was covering for you. She exposed you, Nia and Arya... and me for staying silent about it."

Taliana's eyes grew bigger immediately. "Juliet?! What is she doing back here?!"

Killian sighed. "I wish I knew. She mentioned wanting to arrest Colt and Lily for a crime they didn't do... for Lexi, I suppose."

"This is preposterous!" Taliana declared, horrified. "There must be a way to stop them! Killian, you have to go back to the police and tell them she's lying!"

"I can't," he insisted. "Nothing I say will mean anything anymore. She has fake evidence - but they'll believe it. How am I supposed to do anything? I'm the last person they want to hear from."

"They're going to come after me, Arya and Nia..." she whispered, voice so faint. "Can't you stop that? "

"If I could erase everyone's memory of it?"

"If you hadn't got involved with me, then you would still be with the police, and you'd be able to save Colt and Lily."

"You sound like you're breaking up with me."

"It's not breaking up if we never were together in the first place."

He froze. "What?"

She said nothing.

"I'm trying, okay?" He said. "I can't just magically fix things. And in my current situation and the turn of events, I most certainly -"

"Fine," Taliana said. "Fine. If you can't sort it out, then I will."

He shook his head. "If I can't, you can't. Don't forget that you're probably on their wanted list right now," he said. "Look, just stay with me, okay?"

She stood up from the sofa and headed to the door, not sparing him a last glance. "You and I... we're not meant to be. Never will be."

Then, she disappeared out of the door, missing the hurt and broken look on his face as he stared after her.