HAUNTINGLY | 18+

23 | Numb

As I walked into my room, I felt completely numb, the weight of the recent events suffocating me.

Standing in the middle of my room, I was frozen in place, unsure of what to do or how to process the emotions crashing over me.

All that remained was an overwhelming urge to cry, and that's exactly what I did.

I cried.

I hadn't realized Scar had quietly entered my room until I felt his comforting presence enveloping me. I clung to him, seeking solace in his embrace as tears streamed down my cheeks.

My grip on his shirt tightened, and I let the tears fall freely, struggling to catch my breath amid the tidal wave of emotions.

"Shh," Scar whispered gently, "You're going to be okay."

I shook my head, my tear-filled eyes meeting his.

"I'm not going to be okay," I sobbed. "A man is dead because of me." My cries intensified, echoing the pain within me.

"Xavier was right. It's all my fault."

"It wasn't your fault, Layla," Scar reassured me, his hold on me tightening as if to shield me from the crushing weight of my self-blame. "You weren't the one who killed him."

I removed myself from Scar's embrace, my eyes locked with his. "I might not have pulled the trigger, but it was my actions that led to that point," I confessed.

As I glanced down at my dress, my voice barely above a whisper, I couldn't help but acknowledge the gruesome truth.

"I have his blood on me," I stated quietly, unable to tear my gaze away from the dark red stains.

Scar gently took my hand and led me to the bathroom. He turned on the shower, the sound of water cascading filling the space with a calming rhythm.

After a few minutes, Scar returned with a fresh set of clothes, placing them on the counter before facing me.

"Take a shower, it'll help you feel better," he said softly. "I'll be right outside this door. If you need anything, just shout."

I nodded in acknowledgment as Scar left the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Alone now, I shed my blood-stained dress and stepped into the warm embrace of the shower. I closed my eyes, letting the water soothe my trembling body and wash away the haunting memories of the day's tragic events.

As the water flowed over me, I couldn't help but glance down and notice the faint traces of blood swirling down the drain. With each passing moment, the water cleansed my skin, seemingly erasing the remnants of the dreadful night as if it had never existed.

But it did.

And there was nothing I could do to turn back time and stop Xavier from shooting John.

Turning the water off, I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my body. I stared at myself in the mirror, focusing on my eyes. They appeared empty and lifeless.

Just like John's eyes.

Except I was still alive, and he was gone.

A single tear escaped my eye, landing on the countertop. I turned away from the mirror, letting the towel fall to the ground, and dressed in the clothes Scar had brought me - black cotton pajama shorts, an oversized hoodie, and socks.

Leaving the bathroom, I entered my room, and my eyes landed on Scar, who was sitting on my bed. I walked towards the bed and took a seat beside him.

"Do you feel a little better?" Scar asked, concern etched on his face.