These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends [h.s.]

Chapter 16

I turn on the T.V. in the living room as Bella pours me a cup of tea. I share my blanket with Cassie that wrapped around our bodies snugly. None of us knew what to say due to the aftermath of the club as we were still in a bit of a fright. I've never heard gunshots before let alone be present in a room of such a weapon. My mind was still racing as I think back on what happened.

Bella breaks the silence, "I'm never going to a club again."

"Me neither," I add.

"Honestly, what did you expect? Shit like that happens sometimes," says Cassie.

"No, it doesn't," Bella talks back.

"Cassie what are you even talking about? What happened tonight wasn't your typical average night at a club." Seriously, what is going on in that girl's head?

"Well we made it out safe," she says and exhales a huge huff completely unphased by our previous comments.

"We were just lucky, Cassie. I was so scared when I lost Alex in the club. The crowd was moving too fast and when I realized you weren't behind me I almost started crying," Bella says while holding my hand.

"It's okay it wasn't your fault," I add. "If it wasn't for Harry I don't know what would've happened to me. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm really grateful he was there that night." I thought it would be best to not tell them the manic episode I had in the club.

"What was he even doing there?" Cassie asks. When I really think about it, I didn't know either. Why did he only show up for such little time? His motives were unclear as was my answer to Cassie when I shrugged in confusion.

Cassie flips through the channels of the T.V. but halts when we spot a familiar building on the screen. It was Saint Yves on fire. The entire building was lit from the ground up as black smoke seared through the cities streets.

The news anchor switched the camera back onto them and continued to say, "No one knows what sparked the fire or if anyone is to blame, but attention is being aided to the victims of tonight's tragedy. Luckily, there were no casualties from the fire, but police were called moments earlier to the infamous nightclub as gunshots were heard and fired. Saldy, a body was discovered on the upper main level of the building as they were the ones who fell victim to the gunshot wounds. The name of the man was Tom Lardy. He was a known drug distributor in the community and felon on accounts of assault, domestic abuse, and unregistered weapons. Prior to his criminal history and background, we assume this must've been premeditated murder. Police have been scanning the proximity of the club for suspicious activity and the street cameras in order to find the perpetrator behind this attack."

The screen displays a picture of the man and I drop my mug in fright. The man who was on my television was the same person who supplied me with ecstasy earlier tonight. I remembered his distinctive face and his black suit that he wore in the club as the flashing lights danced on his shimmering shoes.

"Wasn't that the guy who..." Cassie fails to finish her sentence.

We sat there, eyes glaring at the T.V. unable to speak for the rest of the evening. This was all too much for me to handle. Too much of a coincidence. Maybe if I paid attention to him he wouldn't be dead. I couldn't help but feel absolute guilt. I know it wasn't my fault but the man died moments after our encounter. This was all too strange, to say the least. My thoughts consumed me long before I closed my eyes and slept on the shoulder of my friend.

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The next day

After showering, I check on Ethan to make sure he's dressed. "Ethan, where are you?" His bed was a mess and so was his entire room but I couldn't find him anywhere.