I watched, mesmerised by the growing ice-crystals that grew over the windows of our apartment across the street. The glass plane was the lone barrier between the freezing temperatures from the warm insides, just as it isolated myself from the others. I let out a shaky breath, watching in amazement as the white puff of exhalation dispersed into the cold night. Small puffy white snowflakes floated down onto my bare palms, but I wasn't particularly bothered by the cold tonight. There were bigger problems that plagued me than my strong distaste for the cold.
Nobody trusted me. Rightfully so of course. I wouldn't trust me after that confrontation earlier either. Not only did I withhold vital information regarding our mission from them, but I also purposefully omitted a very crucial fact about my parentage. So no, I did not blame them for their looks of hurt, betrayal, disappointment, disgust and so much more.
*****
The walk back to the apartment was agonisingly silent and tense. I kept my head down as waves of guilt and humiliation surged through me. It was absolutely mortifying to have my biggest fear play out just mere moments ago. Worst of all, it hurt that they believed him, that they didn't even doubt or question what he said further.
"Look, I'm still on your side --" I started as we paused right outside the apartment door.
"How the hell did he know then?" Lukas interrupted with an icy tone and hot glare. His expression was full of hurt and humiliation. It took me a second to realise what he meant -- his past. Nullifier knew about his past, knew about it to a detail that no one should know, no one but me because of that night in the woods.
"I-I didn't!"
"You're the only one that knows, Hayley," Thomas replied with a roll of his eyes, his lips down turned.
"Yeah," Ellen added softly, her gaze cast towards the floor, her face hidden by the shadows where the lights of the streetlamps could not illuminate. My memories brought me back to our small moment in the room. Chewing on my lips, I turned towards Jelani who likewise refused to meet my eyes, as he stared into the distance. Just like that, my world crumpled around me for the second time in the night.
*****
I had tried to further convince them that I was with them and had always been with them, but my pleas fell onto deaf ears. Ellen had decided that they would still continue on tomorrow as planned. They allowed me to tag along, solely for my abilities and quick reflexes on the off chance that they would need me. All the while, none of them refused to talk, listen or even look at me. With a forced smile, I had excused myself from the group. It was while blinking back tears, I found this spot on the roof opposite the apartment we rented. It brought me a sense of security when I could at the very least keep a close eye on them, even though I clearly wasn't wanted.
I brought my knees to my chest as I choked down another sob. My lips trembled as I watched my friends through the frosted window, moving about as per normal, as though I was never a part of that. I wouldn't cry. There was no point in it. I took a deep but shaky breath as I tried to quell the raging emotions within me. God, I wish I could just dissolve in the sky. I couldn't do this.
I squeezed my eyes shut and reminded myself to count to three and think positively. It helped the last time I was on the verge of tears. It would help again.
One.
I was okay. I was okay. It would be okay. After tomorrow, it would all be over.
Two.
The authorities would handle the situation, and we could go back to school. Layton would be well again, and everything could go back to normal.
Three.
YOU ARE READING
Pestilence Plagues | ONC 2021
ActionHayley Clarke was doing so well. Her secret was deeply buried. Nobody suspected a thing and that was how she would very much prefer to keep it. Unfortunately, things did not seem to go her way when a deadly virus began wreaking havoc upon the world...
