The Devil in the Form of Those That Follow: Calamitous

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

"...the much preferred option."

Two weeks had passed since Beatrix ran off. They were tempted to look for her, but after her persistent messages telling them to give her space. Everyone, not wanting another fiasco, decided to leave her alone, at least until they had to leave. If only they had known the truth.

"You should go to it," Clover said, "You loved it last time."

Lana took a deep breath, "But... what about-"

"She'll be fine... hopefully. But, she wouldn't want you to not go because of her,"

"I don't know. She could be dead for all we know. She hasn't answered us in a couple of days,"

"It was her choice to leave. She'll be fine. Go to that damn ball or I will," Elena ordered while tossing an orange in the air then catching it.

Since Lana didn't say anything she spoke again, "It's been two weeks and she's checked in a couple times. You know how distant people can be when they're angry. She's fine. Go to it," She threw the orange to Finley, "Open that."

"Why do I have to?"

"Because you're the farthest away from me,"

Finley rolled his eyes and started trying to peel it.

"I feel guilty for going," Lana stood up from the bed and started pacing.

As Finley struggled, Ophelia helped him, but still focused on the matter at hand, "You should not feel guilty. The only guilty person in this whole situation would be.... Beatrix," She had to take the orange away from Finley in order to peel it, "While it doesn't feel great to say, she ran off with a child and refuses to return," She handed the orange out towards Elena, "Here you go."

As Elena walked to grab it, she decided to add on, "Here's a deal since your moral compass is getting in the way. If Beatrix doesn't text any of us back before you have to leave, then you don't have to go." She started eating the orange.

"I wouldn't pass up on the opportunity," Aven said, still in her velvet nightgown as Ronnie leaned on her shoulder, playing with her flimsy arm sleeve.

"But I'd be leaving her in a foreign country," Lana refuted, "She can't even speak the language. I can't go dilly-dallying."

"She's with that one chick," Lance mumbled, "Remember?"

"We don't know if we can trust that person though,"

"Beatrix seemed to trust her enough to go to her house," He crossed his arms.

"Still, we don't know if we can trust her. Look at what Nixon did. She trusted him....."

As a slight silence fell over. Lana decided to make her final statement, "I feel like I should think about this on my own." Not wanting to bother her more, everyone complied. She stumbled to her room. Diligently, Tommy followed her, even though he wasn't asked.

She sat on the bed and checked her phone, her legs crossed. Tommy quietly shut the door.

"That's like the fiftieth time you've checked your phone," he commented.

"She still hasn't answered,"

He slowly walked over to her, "Do you think she'd answer if you called?"

"I tried that," Her head fell into her knees, "It's all my fault."

"No it isn't. You couldn't control her. You even tried to stop her leaving.... Does your head still hurt?" He sat down beside her.