Like Moths to a Flame // Sebastian Sallow [Book One]

Chapter Forty: A Choice to Be Made

How hard could it be to say thank you?

Hard, apparently.

Too hard.

For, when Damien finished escorting Sebastian back to the castle yesterday afternoon, words eluded Sebastian. Entirely.

Not even Damien seemed able to form anything coherent. He had merely placed a gentle hand on Sebastian's shoulder, perhaps offering... understanding? Maybe. He had then opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. And, before he could try again, Sebastian fled.

This time, Damien didn't follow. 

Sebastian didn't blame him. 

Later, when his breathing had evened out and the edge of panic dulled, Sebastian searched for Ominis. But he was nowhere to be found. He hadn't returned to the Slytherin common room that night either. Sebastian knew because he hadn't slept a wink. 

Morning had come and gone, and Sebastian hadn't even considered going to class. After everything, the idea of attending classes felt unbearable. Pointless even. Instead, he sought out the lake, isolating himself from the company of others. He welcomed the discomforting quiet, feeling that he somehow deserved it.

And now, he was here. Back in the Undercroft. The walls felt tighter today, closing in on him, like they could hear his very thoughts. 

Sebastian sat on the floor, cross-legged, tapping his thigh, waiting. Hoping someone would come.

Someone specific.

Then... footsteps. Just beyond the gate.

Sebastian's heart leaped into his throat. He didn't dare breathe.

Please let it be Damien. Please. Damien always seemed to know how to comfort him in his times of need.

But it was Ominis who stepped through the gate, and the flicker of hope in Sebastian's chest promptly died. Ominis's expression was contorted with fury, which only deepened Sebastian's disappointment.

Sebastian cleared his throat, announcing his presence. He rose up from the floor. Might as well get this over with. 

"Sebastian," Ominis said, cautious but firm.

"I already know what you're going to say. Spare me, please," Sebastian said quickly, deflecting. "Were you with Anne yesterday?"

Ominis dragged a hand through his hair and started pacing the room. "Of course I was. You left her there. With his body. How could you?"

"She didn't want me there. I couldn't - she would've..." Sebastian trailed off awkwardly, knowing that he was lying through his teeth. But he had gone looking for Ominis and he was nowhere to be found! There was no point in arguing though. So, he hung his head and said, "You're right. I should've made sure she got out of the catacomb safely. How is she?"

"She's devastated. She just buried your uncle."

"I did it for her," Sebastian whispered.

The gate creaked open again, drawing Sebastian's full attention. His breath caught. Was it Damien? It was. Sebastian's palms grew slick. His heart rate quickened.

Noticing Damien's arrival, Ominis lowered his voice. "Sebastian, Anne can't bear the thought of turning you in, but---"

"What? Turn me in?" Sebastian's eyebrows lifted. "She saw what happened." How could Anne even consider such a thing? Turn him in? To whom? Professor Black? Surely not the Ministry...

Ominis let out a long, weary sigh. "I'll give you some time to think, Sebastian." Sebastian barely noticed him stepping away, so lost was he in his own turbulent thoughts. But he did manage to confirm that Ominis had retreated to the far side of the room, well out of earshot.