Tainted Blood [3]

Chapter 23

"Morning," Tyler joined me at the table with a plateful of food. I took a sip of my juice before replying.

"Hey Ty, you doing okay ?" He nodded.

"Yeah, it's just, I don't know how to explain it," I bit a piece of my bacon.

"You feel like the only way to survive this is to bottle it up until this is over," I looked down, not letting the emotions surface. "Do you know what the last thing I said to Chloe was ? The last conversation I had with her ?" I let out a bitter laugh. "I told her that I hate who I've become, I hate what I've done, my last words to her was "I promise I won't let anyone else I care about die because of me," I guess that was a load of bull since she's dead now."

"Avabear..." I looked away from Tyler, I didn't want to see the pity or the sympathy. "I know you, I know you want to try and save everyone but you can't," I looked at him this time. "People are going to die, and most of the time we will be able to stop it, like when you took that knife for Chloe, but sometimes you can't save everyone, I know you blame yourself, but Lincoln, Casey, your parents, Damien and Chloe ? They weren't your fault, there was nothing you could have done-" I cut him off.

"That's not true and you know it," He went to speak but I beat him to it. "I could have saved them if I just let Stefan take me, but I was  too selfish to walk away from all of you."

"It's not selfish, you knew why Stefan could never have your blood, you did what you had to and you know it," I looked down at my breakfast, It didn't matter what he said, I still felt guilty.

"Still doesn't make their deaths right," I mumbled but he still heard me.

"Okay that's it," he got up and picked me up, carrying me upstairs.

"Tyler Ried put me down!" I tried kicking him but it didn't quite work, he took me to my room before dumping me on Archer and I's bed.

"Get dressed, we are going out," with that he left the room assuming I'd do what he said. Although I thought it best to do what he said, last time I told him I wasn't get up he took me out in my micky mouse pyjamas to the park, to say I got some weird looks would be an understatement.

"Okay done, what do you want from me ?" I crossed my arms looking at Tyler who was sitting back at the table laughing with everyone else, I had thrown on some skinny jeans and a tight fitting purple tee.

"We are going out, don't wait up," Tyler winked at Dayton before throwing me over his shoulder. Again.

"Seriously ? Again ? PUT ME DOWN YOU IMBECILE!" I punched his back but it made little difference. When I was put in the car I crossed my arms. "Where are we going ?"

"Just wait and see," He started the car and pulled out of the drive.

"You did not," I gaped at karaoke bar, we used to come here for Ty's birthday, we liked to mess around and sing cringe worthy songs while laughing at others while they sang badly. "We haven't been here in ages."

"I know," we walked inside and sat right at the back. "I thought you may need a reminder of the girl you used to be, because as much as you pretend she's gone she is still in there, she just grew up."

"When did you get wise ? Actually when did everyone get so damn wise ?" I felt like every time I talked to someone they had something wise to say.

"The same time you got that stone armour and turned numb," I turned away and watched a guy try sing Man-eater by Nelly Furtado, it was quite funny actually.  "You gonna give that a try tonight ?"

"Na, might just watch tonight," His jaw dropped open.

"Since when does Avalon Greene pass up an opportunity to sing ?" I rolled my eyes.