The stories that killed their writer

Chapter 39: I need to go

Third person's POV

After she visited Stephanie, Melody went home. She wanted to see Lana, she wanted to talk to her about those papers. But, most of all, she wanted to talk about the issue she had read. She hoped Lana could provide her more clarity about the matter.

When she arrived back home, she noticed how all the lights were out. She frowned at the sight, as it wasn't that late yet.

She walked around the house until something caught her eyes in the kitchen: a plate. She walked to it and saw one side of the table plated with everything, a nice meal was presented for her. She saw a little card next to the plate. She took it and read: 'Dear Melody, I made dinner for you. When you get home, you can enjoy this meal. I'll probably be in bed by then, I was really tired. Love, Lana.'

Melody couldn't help but smile at this kind gesture. It warmed her heart. Lana usually didn't do things like that, so it was special for her.

She decided, however, to put the plate in the fridge - for tomorrow - and went upstairs. She wanted to see her wife more than anything.

When she arrived in the bedroom, she stopped in her tracks and let out a breath. She saw her wife laying in bed, asleep. Melody walked closer to Lana and went to sit down next to Lana. She looked at Lana and smiled.

"Goodnight, babe." She whispered before kissing her goodnight.

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Lana's POV

I was in the park, on my regular bench. I was looking in front of me but at nothing at all. I was lost in thoughts about what I had just done. This morning, I left the house early. I went to work and went straight to my boss. I looked him in the eyes when I told him I quit.

I let out a sigh as I looked around the park. Somehow I felt so much lighter, as if I was free of a big weight I had been carrying around. Would that job have affected me this much?

I wonder what I should tell Melody. How should I tell her the news? Would she understand me? She never really did, so I doubt she will now...

I sighed and looked down, at my hands.

"Hey, Lana."

I looked up and, instantly, my mood dropped. "Hey Steph," I looked down again, I was still very upset about what she told me the other day. "What are you doing here?"

"Can I sit with you?"

Even though I was upset with her, I nodded.

She took a seat next to me but said nothing. We sat side by side for a while, in silence. I wondered what she wanted from me. And, at the same time, I was happy she was here. I liked having her around.

I looked at her. "What are you doing here?" I repeated.

She gulped. "I needed to see you," She then looked at me. "I'm sorry for what happened the other day," She paused, as if giving me time to remember that unpleasant scene. "You have to believe me when I say I did this with the best intentions."

I looked away. "You basically told me I was crazy, Steph."

"No," She sighed again. "Listen, Lana," She said, gaining my attention. "When you first came to me, I was immediately intrigued. Your issue is so unique, I wanted to experience it with you."

I slowly nodded.

"I enjoyed our talks, I was always eager to hear more about you and your characters," She smiled but it vanished immediately. "I guess that excitement caused me to overstep boundaries," She then looked at me. "Because I wanted to see you outside of therapy too."

I didn't say or do anything then, I just listened to her.

"But when we started seeing each other outside of therapy," She sighed, looking away. "You were no longer just Lana the patient," She looked at me. "You were more to me then."

"What do you mean?"

She looked away again. "We got into something," She shrugged. "An affair, I guess," She sighed. "When I was at your house for dinner, I felt it, I lost sight of your real issue," She looked at me then. "That's why I went to a colleague to help me with your case."

I looked down then.

"This colleague helped me get back on the right track," She paused. "They made me realize that what I was doing with you was wrong."

I kept looking down, I had a hard time hearing this.

"Lana," She said, placing her hand on mine. "I've realized that the attraction between us isn't romantically at all."

I looked at her then. "It isn't?"

"No," She showed me a small smile, as if reassuring me. "I was attracted to your case and you were in desperate need of someone to listen to you," Her smile faded. "We found something with each other, which is why we enjoyed each other's company that much."

I looked away then, at nothing in particular. Somehow her explanation made sense to me. I loved being with Stephanie, but it wasn't the same as Melody. Melody is my wife. Yes, Stephanie was right.

She sighed deeply. "I'm sorry for all the pain and troubles I caused for you, or your characters, or Melody," She pulled her hand back then. "I'm to blame for not staying professional enough," She looked at me then. "I need to work on that, I need to focus on that," She gulped then. "Which is why I don't want to see you anymore."

My jaw dropped slightly. "W-What?"

"I need time for myself now." She got up then.

"Wait," I said, getting up too. "What about Shax? What do I do?"

She turned around and showed me a small smile. "You're a brave woman, Lana," She smiled more. "Shax is no match for you," She walked closer to me, placing her hand on my shoulder. "You are the writer, Shax will obey."

I gulped. "What if I can't do it by myself?"

"You're not alone, Lana," She pulled her hand back. "You've got your characters," She then sighed and retreated. "And your wife."

I wanted to reply but for some reason, I didn't. 

Stephanie nodded at me, as a final goodbye, and walked away.