The stories that killed their writer

Chapter 40: Is this the end? - Part 1

Third person's POV

After a long day at work, Melody arrived home. She was exhausted and frustrated at the same time. It seemed as if she was working twice as hard as other people, but she never got rewarded for it. She never got a pat on the back, or a compliment, or a promotion. Instead, she got more work for the same paycheck. She hated it.

She walked to the kitchen and dropped her work on the table. She had that much to do that she decided to take it all home with her. Maybe she could do it tomorrow? She was too tired now. She hated it.

After a short break, she realized she'd never finish all that work tomorrow morning. So she got up and took her computer. She opened her computer and waited for it to start up.

She had gotten up to take her papers to her desk. That way, she'd be able to work there. But, when her computer was on, she noticed something. It was a document, one that wasn't there before.

Melody frowned but decided to open the document. As it was loading, her frown disappeared when she noticed it was Lana's.

"What is this?" She asked herself before reading page after page. Even though she had a lot of work to do, she didn't seem to notice it. She was focused on the document, on the pages, on the story.

Melody's facial expression changed while reading this document. Mainly because she remembered certain moments, she was in the story. But more things got to her:

I see my characters.

Shax wants to kill me and Melody.

How do I save Melody?

Why doesn't Melody understand I want to be a writer?

I have to write to keep us safe.

Why is no one listening to me?

Stephanie is great but she's not Melody.

Stephanie kissed me.

How do I tell Melody I cheated on her?

Melody reached the ending of the story and was shook. Suddenly all those moments that Lana acted weirdly made sense to her. Suddenly it all made sense.

She looked at her computer, wondering if there were more stories hidden. She was actually upset that there were none. So, instead of working, she went through the same story again.

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Lana's POV

I was pretty shaken and upset by the conversation I had with Stephanie. Even though I knew she was right about what she said, it still hurts to lose a friend like that. Maybe it's for the best?

I arrived home, late in the evening. I got out of my jacket and shoes, and walked to the living room where I expected to see Melody. "Hey Melody," I said as I saw her seated on the couch. I then saw her laptop on the coffee table, it was on. I took a closer look while I sat down and saw that my story was open on her computer. I gulped as I knew Melody was going to give me a hard time. "I can explain," was the first thing I said.

Melody seemed frozen for a bit before looking at me. "You wrote a story, behind my back."

I gulped and looked down. "I'm sorry..."

She sighed. "Why, Lana?"

I knew Melody wouldn't take anything I'd say well. Sometimes I really wondered why I would still try to explain anything to her. I shrugged. "It doesn't matter."

"It does."

I looked away. "You don't understand, Melody."

Melody placed her hand on my leg, gaining my attention immediately. "I do, Lana."

I raised my eyebrows. "You do?"

Melody slowly nodded.

I frowned a bit, unsure if this was the real Melody. Maybe this was Shax. Maybe this was a dream...

"Lana," She sighed. "I was wrong," She gulped. "About everything," She looked at me. "I'd like to apologize to you for that."

To say I was surprised was an understatement. I had no idea what was happening, it all seemed so unbelievable.

"You did nothing wrong, it's all me," She sighed and looked down. "I was jealous of you."

I wanted to ask her why but the words were stuck in my mouth. I was so surprised by this whole scene, I couldn't muster any sound.

"I was jealous of your job because you loved it and I hate mine," She sighed. "I was jealous of Stephanie because you were able to talk to her and not me," She gulped. "I should've been a better wife to you," She looked at me. "I thought I helped a bit by sending you to Stephanie, but she made the same mistake I did," She showed me a sad smile. "She didn't listen to you either."

I looked down then.

Melody got a hold of my hand, squeezing it a bit. "When I read those papers she gave you," She said, gaining my attention. She shook her head, she seemed furious all of the sudden. "I was so angry with her," She then looked at me. "Because she reminded me of what I would say to you."

I looked down again.

Melody paused for a bit, breathing in and out, she seemingly had a hard time expressing herself this way. But I wasn't going to say anything to interrupt her, and she knew that. "I believe you, Lana."

I looked at her.

"About Shax."

I pulled my hand back then. Hearing Melody use Shax's name... It was too much for me. I gulped. "W-who told you about Shax?"

Melody showed me a gentle smile. "I read the papers, Lana."

I nodded. "And you think I'm crazy too."

"No, Lana, I - "

"Everyone thinks I'm crazy," I got up and walked off a bit. "No one understands me," I gulped. "No one ever will..."

"I will, Lana."

I turned around and saw Melody was patting the spot on the couch next to her. Despite the fact I wanted to protest her, I went to sit down next to her. I didn't say anything anymore, neither did she. We just sat there for a while, letting silence take over.

Melody was looking at me the whole time. I wondered if she was waiting for me to say something or if she was trying to figure out how I felt. "I saw them too."

I looked at her. "Who?"

"Your characters," She started, making my eyes widen. "Wednesday, Leila, Christina, Estelle, Bree, Louie, Mark, and Macy," She showed me a small smile. "I saw them too."