Oblivion

Chapter 23

"God, this place is disgusting." Paxton complains as we walk into our hotel room.

I look around and see the two small single beds and the old wallpaper slowly coming off the walls. The carpet was worn out with random holes in it and on top of that, it smelled very fetid.

"There are definitely bed bugs in these beds." I state as I pat on the dusty sheets.

Paxton groans as he looks at the beds.

"I would rather sleep in the car." He says.

I roll my eyes.

"Let's just kill this guy and we can leave." I tell him.

Paxton sighs.

"We have to wait till tomorrow to kill him. Which means we have to sleep here." Paxton explains.

"Fine. Go sleep in the car." I tell him as I take my jacket off and throw it on my bed.

"I don't wanna sleep in there alone. It's too scary." He wines.

"Well I'm definitely not sleeping in the car." I say.

Paxton pouts and pulls his bed covers over to get in.

I turn away and start looking for my pajamas to change into when I hear a loud scream.

I quickly turn around and Paxton jumps at me wrapping his arms around me.

"What is wrong with you?!" I yell at him, trying to keep my balance since he was about to push me over.

"There's a giant bug in the bed!" He yells right into my ear.

I groan and push him off me before walking over to his bed and look down at the sheets to see a cockroach crawling onto the pillow case.

"Get into the car." I tell Paxton.

Paxton quickly grabs his stuff and car keys and runs out of the room.

I grab my stuff but notice Paxton's lighter laying on the bed, I grab it and stare at it.

It's so cute that a small lighter means so much to him.

I look at the cool designs on the lighter, I look at the bottom of the lighter and freeze.

There carved onto the bottom of his lighter was Ivy.

I feel my heart race.

I knew this lighter. I bought this lighter. I carved my name into it. I was 15 when I bought it. I was still in highschool. I knew the boy across the street. The one who was shy and scared of his uncle. The boy I helped. I saved him. I cared about him.

Paxton was the boy.

He knew. He knew who I was. The book. The ripped up book. I gave it to him. William. He hurt Paxton. He ripped the book. Tesorina. Dammit, how did I not know?

I got to the car, the parking lot was almost empty and the sounds of different animals and insects filled my ears. I see Paxton standing there against the car.

"I was waiting for you." He says as I walk up.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask him.

"Tell you what?"

I hold the lighter up.

"This. I gave it to you. I gave you the book. I knew William. I knew he hurt you." I snap at him.

He doesn't say anything

"Ivy. I'm sorry." He finally says.

"No. Why did you lie to me?" I question as I feel tears form in my eyes.