Out of Time

chapter 14 - irreparable

I set fire to the dress I was wearing - both to destroy evidence and because the bloodstains are irreparable. I passively gaze upon the flames consuming it. It only surrenders into nothingness when the material has been used up.

I rekindle the flame to add more of my stuff into it; a mustard scarf gifted to me, a smashed phone and a duffle bag filled with photos and identification papers are among the incinerated items. The glowing oranges and reds contrast with the night sky.

I rub my hand against my forehead before punching through the wall of a nearby shed. It splinters and explodes into millions of pieces. I still can't believe that I have to leave because of my family.

Why can't they leave me alone?

Berry blood blooms beneath my knuckles. I hear a quiet pair of footsteps, but I stay facing the fire. I already know it's Luna. She ambles her way beside me, so we stand shoulder-to-shoulder.

"Why didn't you tell us?" she inquires after a while.

"Tell you what, Luna? You might have to be a bit more specific." She looks taken aback by my tone.

"Lara!" she reprimands me. I apologise quietly. "Your birthday, you blithering idiot. We always do something." I shrug nonchalantly.

"I don't usually celebrate it."

"Well, we can just celebrate it tomorrow or in a week." I don't reply to her comment. I'm not even going to be there tomorrow. "What is it, Lara?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow." She gasps before tackling me into a hug.

"You didn't tell us that either. We would've had a crazy party!"

"I only found out an hour ago," I say, looking down at the ground. Unshed tears threaten to fall, and there is no way anyone is seeing me cry. I have a reputation to uphold here. "We think my parents are on my tail. An anonymous tip, apparently."

"I'm going to miss you," she quavers. I nod my head in agreement.

"I'll miss you more," I take a moment of pause before saying, "I want to thank you for being there for me. I wish I could've seen you more."

This rare moment of sincerity and vulnerability took Luna by surprise. She takes my hand and pulls me into the castle.

~~

I stare at my wall. I'm leaving today, but I feel indifferent; shocking neutrality is overwhelming my senses. I honestly have no idea how I am meant to be feeling. I welcome this apathy until a knock at my door helps me regain my thoughts.

In walks the devil. I groan loudly into my pillow before exclaiming, "I wanted this day to be good."

Callum looks at me disapprovingly when I sit back up to look at him. "I was going to say goodbye. You don't need to be such a bitch about it."

"Well, then say goodbye and leave."

"Damnit, why are you so stubborn?" he complains irritably. I stand up and push past him.

"I can't be bothered with this pointless conversation. If you're just going to berate me for not wanting to talk to you, I will leave. Sorry if I hurt your pathetic, irrelevant feelings."

I stride down the hallway to get away from him.

"Lara."

I keep walking down the hall. I pass a few people, giving them annoyed looks, and they nod their heads in understanding. They all know how riled up I get when I speak to him.

"Lara, stop."

I pay no heed to Callum behind me and continue on my journey to the dining room. It's my last meal before I leave. A hand grabs my shoulder and tries to spin me around. I take it and haul it over my back to make the figure fall. A wheeze escapes Callum's mouth.