Halo | 18+

chapter twenty three

- AURELIA JONES -

I stood behind Ollie, mouth wide open.

"No fucking way!" I gasped, looking around to catch everyone else reactions. Everybody gathered around her like she was some foreign alien.

Jace had his gun pointed at her.

"No please, Jace." Joni held her hands up in surrender, "Please don't kill me!" She sounded genuinely scared for her life, "Please, I'll leave! I'll leave on your terms, just don't kill me. Please." She was begging.

The courtyard was silent, awaiting Jace's reaction.

There was much pressure pointed toward Jace right now my heart squeezed.

"How long have you been infected?" Jace screamed, "Who else have you infected?" His voice was adamant, "Less than 24 hours. And no one, nobody knew about my infection." I almost felt bad for Joni.

She was scared. Really scared. Her eyes were wider than saucers, she was on the ground, seeing everyone's eyes follow her every move.

I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what happened next.

"Jace- please. Don't kill me, you know you don't want too."

I watched from behind Ollie's frame. Mainly because he wasn't letting me get any closer.

My face changed when Jace lowered his gun. He's letting her go?

Don't get me wrong, I hate violence. My last option would be death, but Joni? I thought he hated her? Especially after what she did to him last night.

Besides, she was bitten and infected. Who knows how many people she could've talked too or touched that could be compromised.

Jace signalled to the guards to open the gates.

I stood back, hot tears filling my eyes. I feel like I'm being dramatic, but for some reason I can't stop the tears from coming. I feel like I just watched him have a battle with his inner thoughts.

He couldn't decide whether to keep her or lose her.

My mind is so messy right now.

I have so many questions. What did Joni mean by Jace had to protect me? How did Joni get infected in the first place? What other things is Jace hiding from me?

My feelings were hurt and my trust was broken.

I didn't stay to watch the rest of Joni's leaving party, instead I went inside. I went straight to the infirmary and lay down on one of the beds.

"Hey chick! I thought you'd be out there celebrating." Ariel smiled, coming in carrying a tray of things. I sighed, trying to talk but no words were coming out.

"You okay?" She asked, placing the tray down.

I sat up and leaned my head on her shoulder, "I don't think so." I whispered, "What do you mean? Do you wanna talk about it?" Ariel asked.

I cried into her shoulder. I know Ariel and Angel are only 8 years older than me, but since I was eleven when I lost my parents, these two have been like a comfort person to me. I trust them with my life. They know everything about me and vice versa.

They raised me through my teenage years and I couldn't be more thankful for them.

"What's going on? Is it Jace again?"

I nodded, "I know it's stupid, I'm sorry I keep talking about it." I smiled, "I've been feeling so lost lately. Like killing myself might be better than living."