HSMTMTS: The Core Four 2

78

Ricky's POV

I hadn't talked to EJ since yesterday. I was mad at him, but I crossed a line. I'm the one who slapped him, but what shocked me is that he retaliated. EJ's never retaliated to any of us before. He's really corrupted.

That's it. I caused this problem by yelling at him. I need to find him and apologize. I'll get dressed and head over to Ash's today. EJ's my best friend, we promised we wouldn't turn his back on him and he did. We have to fix people.

I look for my jeans jacket and getting ready to leave when my phone starts ringing. It was a group chat face time. Me, Gina, Nini, and Ashlyn, or as we like to call it, "The EJ support system."

I answer the phone and while Nini and Gina were fine, Ashlyn looked like she was panicking. There were tears in her eyes and she was breathing heavily. "Ash? Are you okay?" Gina asks. She shakes her, trying to speak, but she was practically hyperventilating.

"Ash!" Calm down and tell us what's wrong," Nini says. Ashlyn takes a breath, but when she tells us what's wrong, I start panicking. There's no way that's true. He wouldn't do that. I guess panicking was a virus because Gina and Nini started panicking too.

"EJ's missing. He ran away! Can you guys please find him!"

"Ashlyn, tell us exactly what happened!" Gina demands.

EJ's POV (Last Night)

I finish packing my final bag. I was leaving. I'm too dangerous to be around everyone. I'm hurting everyone around me. As long as I have this infection, I can't be close be anyone I love. I've been struggling with the course of action I should take to protect everyone. It's either this or I do...

Something else to myself.

I sneak out of the room, but I peek through Ashlyn's room, my cousin was sound asleep. I feel a lump in my throat and try to hide my tears. "Goodbye," I whisper before walking past.

I sneak into Asher's room and see my little cousin hugging his teddy bear. I lead forward and kiss his forehead. "Bye, Asher" I give a smile, even if he can't see me. Wish I could stay long enough to actually hear him saying say "EJ."

My Uncle and Aunt's door was closed. I'll really miss them. They gave me the home I needed it the most. And now I can't stay here anymore. I sneak out of the house and just speed away, leaving everything behind.

(Present Day)

I thought most of this through. I'll just stay at the hotel. I mean, I still have the great Cash Caswell's fortune. That should get me what I need. I'll still be on the team and all, I'll just be on the team from a distance.

Son, are you sure this is the best idea? "Yes, dad, it is. I can't be near my friends, I have to protect them. All of this, running away, it's all for them. I-I have to do this." EJ, I don't support this. Being alone only makes things worst. The best way to control your BloodLust is to be around the people you love.

"I already tried that, it didn't work out. I just have to find a hotel." I spent the night at my dad's grave, explaining everything. My friends will probably be upset, but I need them to understand my heart is in the right place.

I hear footsteps. I turn around and let out a sigh, dropping my head. How'd he find me?

"Hoped I'd find you here. I checked the DeadEnd. No luck."

"Get out of here, Bowen."

"No Bubba? Not even Ricky? Wow, okay. Yea, it makes sense that you have the attitude when I was the one literally slapped across the room."