The day we fell.

chapter 15: tangled ties and dead ends

Lucy's POV:

My eyelids flutter open, and I'm immediately hit by a pounding headache. My vision is blurry, and it takes a moment for me to register my surroundings. I'm lying on the cold ground, my body feeling heavy and sluggish. Confusion washes over me as I try to remember how I ended up here. The last thing I recall is a heated argument with Skyla and Tom leaving with her, my heart pounding in my chest. As I struggle to sit up, a familiar voice calls out my name. "Lucy! Are you okay?" Jace's voice is laced with concern, cutting through the fog in my mind. I turn my head towards him, finding solace in his presence. He rushes over, his face etched with worry lines, and helps me sit upright. His touch is gentle, providing a much-needed anchor in the chaos of my emotions.

"Jace," I manage to croak, my voice weak and hoarse. He steadies me, concern etched across his features. His eyes search mine for answers, but all I can offer is a shaky smile. Jace is my rock, my best friend, and even though my heart is heavy with worry about Tom, his unwavering support gives me strength. I long for Tom's presence, to feel his comforting touch and hear his voice assuring me that everything will be alright. But he's not here. The argument between Skyla and me must have pushed him away. I can't help but wonder where he is and what he's thinking right now. Does he know I passed out? Does he even care? As Jace helps me to my feet, my mind races with uncertainty. I can't shake off the nagging feeling that Skyla's intentions towards Tom are far from innocent. A wave of anxiety crashes over me, but I push it aside, focusing on Jace's steady presence beside me. With his support, I know I can face whatever challenges lie ahead, even if it means confronting the truth about Tom and Skyla.

Tom's POV:

I walk alongside Skyla, my mind filled with conflicting thoughts and emotions. The argument between Lucy and Skyla still echoes in my ears, a whirlwind of accusations and hurtful words. Skyla's grip on my arm feels possessive, suffocating, but I'm too caught up in my turmoil to address it. As we make our way to the base, Skyla's eyes gleam with satisfaction, as if she's won some kind of victory. Her words echo in my mind, taunting me. She wants to take me away from Lucy, to tear us apart. But what if there's a sliver of truth in her words? Doubt gnaws at me, clouding my judgment.

As we approach the camp, my attention shifts to the new member of Skyla's gang—the Deadshot Syndicate—Jack. He walks silently beside us, his presence unnerving. Skyla introduces him as the newest recruit, but there's something about him that sets me on edge. His eyes dart around, scanning the surroundings with a calculating gaze. I can't help but wonder what his true intentions are. We finally reach the camp, and my unease grows when I spot Jace storming towards us. His face is flushed with anger, his voice booming with frustration. I brace myself for the confrontation, knowing that I've made a grave mistake in leaving Lucy's side when she needed me most.

Jace's words cut through the air like a knife. "Tom! How could you leave Lucy alone? She passed out, and you're here gallivanting with Skyla!" His voice trembles with a mix of concern and disappointment. I feel a pang of guilt deep in my chest, realizing the gravity of my actions. As Jace continues to berate me, I hang my head, unable to meet his accusatory gaze. The weight of my choices bears down on me, and I know that I've let down not only Lucy but also my best friend. I can only hope that Jace's reprimand will ignite a newfound determination within me to set things right and protect the ones I hold dear.

Jace grabbed the top of my shirt aggressively. "What is wrong with you Tom?" I flashback to the last time he hit me, the pain, the embarrassment, the scars. I grabbed his hands and squeezed, forcing him to let go, I thrust his hands away and brace myself for a fight. "Get your fucking hands, OFF ME!" I scream I wasn't angry at what Jace said, but I was angry at the last time Jace beat me up. Jace weirdly looked at me and then corrected himself. "Tom, Skyla is trying to tear us all apart. Can't you see that?" Jace replied. "This isn't about Skyla, is it? You just hate me for some reason! The time when you beat me up before! ISN'T HAPPENING AGAIN" I yell at the top of my lungs. A look of concern, worry and confusion etches across Skyla's, Jace's and Jack's faces. "Tom, stop fucking yelling, I did it before, and I can do it again". Jace braced himself. "If you're so fucking tough, why don't you come and fucking prove it," I said through my teeth. Jace's face changed, but then he lunged at me.