A quite place/ kotlc AU

Chapter Eighteen

TRIGGER WARNING!!!!!! This chapter is very graphic and includes suicide. Please don't read if you aren't comfortable with these topics. thank you.

They all stopped. No one moved a muscle as they all looked toward the sound of the scream. It couldn't of been that far away.

Beep.

Amy being dragged away by that monster.

Beep.

Her dad dying trying to save her.

Beep.

Her mom dying and yelling at her to run.

She didn't want anyone else dying if she could help them. she had to go help this person.

Dropping her bag, Sophie quickly turn to Biana, who was standing right behind her.  

"Stay here."

She left her bag there and started running, carefully avoiding the sticks and leaves as much as she could, though the screaming definitely covered the sound up so she didn't worry too much about it. Sophie only had to run for a little bit until she reached the spot where the screams were coming from. 

They were no longer screams, more small, contained shouts of panic. 

On top of a house was a man holding a gun. Sophie wasn't surprised to see two death angels at the bottom of the house, attempting to climb up the side of the house. 

Sophie was confused as to why this man wasn't shooting the monsters if he had a gun and was already making too much noise.

Thats when he made eye contact with her. He looked from her to a spot on the ground and when she followed his gaze she gagged as she realized why this man was in distress.

What was left of a woman laid bloodied and broken at the side of of tree. Her dress that looked as if it was once a pretty blue was soaked in red blood, her body was in a weird position as if some of her bones were out of place. Along with all of that, she was missing an arm, which Sophie could see laying yards away from her. 

Sophie didn't dare get closer to this man but shook her head at him as he made eye contact with her again. 

"I only have one bullet," He said, raising to gun to his head. Sophie shook her head harder, her eyes growing wide. 

Just as the ringing of the shot was heard, hands grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth as they dragged her behind a thick tree, hugging her to their chest.

Sophie sobbed into the hand, hearing the disgusting sounds of the monsters digging into the man as he fell to the ground. 

Dead.

Sophie felt like she was going to be sick. The hand over her mouth kept her from screaming and making noise. When she looked down at the legs of the person, she know it was Alden from how tall he was and the black pants he was wearing. 

She shouldn't have come over here. She broke her own rules. This was stupid. No one ever leaves the path.

Alden slowly took his hand away from her mouth and turned her around to face him. 

"Are you okay?"

She nodded even though her stomach still hadn't settled.

"Follow me and don't look back." Alden began leading the way back to the path, his steps slow and carefully placed.

Sophie did as she was told and when the others finally came into sight, she didn't look up to make eye contact with any of them, just returned to her place in line, picked up her bag and kept walking like nothing had happened.

It was only an hour after the incident that Sophie felt like she could keep going without wanting to throw up. She reminded herself what she was here for and how close she was to her old house. 

How close she was to having to cross the bridge.

She shook her head clear of the thought and kept moving. She didn't want to stop as they were only an hour away from their destination, but when Biana started stumbling from her legs being so tired, Sophie decide that everyone needed a break. 

She knew of a small pond near by that had a water fountain in the middle, creating the noise they needed to mask their voices if anyone needed to talk. Plus, the woods were becoming more clear, so it would be easier to walk in. 

Sophie got Bianas attention and told her what they were going to do. Biana nodded and followed her as she went off the path. The pond was only ten minutes away and when they got there Sophie was happy they decided to stop as everyone looked as if they were about to pass out. 

She sat at the edge of the water, slightly away from everyone else. 

No one said anything. A few of them took out water and drank, some took out a snack to eat. 

Sophie jumped when a hand tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around to find Alden motioning for her to get up.

She did so and followed him as he walked farther away from the others, until he sat down next to the water and patted the ground next to him for her to do the same.

"What you did earlier was very brave, but it was also very stupid. You should know better than running off like that," Alden said quietly from beside her. 

She knew this talk was coming, she was sure Alden would want to have chat about how much of an idiot she was at some point. 

"I know, I'm sorry. I just couldn't leave them there. It wasn't right."

"You're right, it wouldn't be right. But it isn't your job to save them, that's my job. Your job is to lead us. I know you want to help, but it's too dangerous for you. I don't know what you went though before you found us but you need to stop doing everything by yourself. We are a team now, you have to let us help."

Sophie nodded, looking down at her hands that were playing with the grass as he spoke to her. 

"And Sophie?" He waited for her to meet his eyes, "Don't ever put yourself in that kind of danger again, understand?" 

There was a warning look in his eyes that made Sophie sure he was serious about this. 

"It won't happen again," she assured him.

"Good, now come on. Lets go have a nice break with the others and finish the trip." Alden helped he up and they headed back toward their group in a comfortable silence. 

updated: 8/9/22

hey loves! sorry this chapter was kinda gory. I realized I was making alden kinda mean so I hope this chapter restores your faith in him. byeee <33