DARK PARADISE ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ETHAN LANDRY

ix. econ

FLASHING RED AND BLUE LIGHTS surrounded all of us. We were currently sat in the back of an ambulance and had just been tended to for our injury's. Although, I had none, I was still in rough shape, just mentally. I was tucked underneath Tara's arm, staring down blankly at the concrete in front of me. I can't believe this shit is happening again.

     "Oh," Chad mutters out of no where and I look up to find him walking towards Ethan. The latter was looking around at the scene in confusion. His eyes met my glossy one and he immediately frowned. Suddenly, Chad grabs him by his jacket and pushes him up against a truck. "Where were you?!"

     "W-When?" Ethan stumbles, confused at why Chad has him pinned.

"Last night!" Chad said sternly, shaking Ethan. Ethan turned and gave me a wide eye look but I just looked away, too many thoughts running in my head. I admit, it was a little suspicious that the night Ethan isn't with us, we all get attacked.

"I had econ, you know this!" Ethan exclaims.

"Bullshit, man. You disappear and my sister almost gets killed!"

"Dude, I was at a study hall with a hindered other people," Ethan puts his hands up in attempt to try and calm Chad down. "You can ask any of them."

Chad scrunched up his nose, not sure if he should believe Ethan or not. He pushes him once more before letting go, uttering, "Fuck man."

Ethan's eyes widen in horror as he takes sight of the two body bags. "Oh, my God. Who?" He asked Chad. Mindy scoffs from beside Tara and I, glaring holes into the side of Ethan's head.

"Anika and Quinn," Chad answers in sorrow.

"Do you think it's actually him?" Tara asks me, playing with the ends of my hair between her fingers.

"I don't know," I respond truthfully. For all I know Ethan could've killed all of these innocent people and been the one to torture us. But, God, I really hope not. My feelings have grown too much for the curly headed boy for this to be true.

"I love you, Malia. You know that right?" Tara whispers quietly, tears forming in her eyes. I lift my head of her shoulder and bring her into a bone crushing hug. She lets out a sob.

"I love you too, T, forever and always," I say back, my chin resting on her shoulder. I held her tightly, cherishing the moment since anyone could be our last.

     Tara pulled away, sniffling. "If you die, I'll kill you, Malia." She laughed, wiping underneath her eyes.

I laughed back, "I appreciate that, Tara, thanks." She smiled softly, although it didn't seem to reach her eyes. We were all tired, but I had a feeling this was just the beginning. Ethan and Chad began to make there way back over to us. His eyes were set on me and he held a hand out to me.

     Monday sprang up from her spot, standing in front of me defensively. "Step the fuck back and stay away from Malia. You're at the top of my list." Ethan's head went back in offense.

     "I had econ!" He expressed once again. "Malia, can we just talk?"

     Mindy turned to face me, "You don't have to talk to him if you don't want to." Ethan uttered a curse word at this and wrung his hands together. I nodded my head at Mindy, thankful that she was sticking up for me, but I hopped off the ambulance.

     "Thanks, but I think we need to," I told her, squeezing her hand in reassurance. Ethan let out a sigh of relief. "Let's go over here." I motioned to the other side of the ambulance. He nodded and followed behind me, but not before Mindy threw him another scornful look.