HIDDEN (Hide Or Die)

Chapter 45

KYLE'S P.O.V.

"Please, Becky."

"No Kyle, I can't come with you guys, my heart won't be able to take it." Becky's eyes clouded and her face scrunched up as if she was fighting back tears, and I didn't know what to say or do to alleviate her obvious anguish.

After we had all decided to go to Miss Lillian's cabin, I left the others and went in search of Becky and later discovered her outside the house, sitting under a large oak tree with her back hunched, legs drawn to her chest, and head resting on her knees. She appeared absolutely broken and drowning in her despair. Seeing her like that made my body feel leaden, so I approached her, sat on the ground beside her, and gradually broached the subject of inviting her to come stay with us in the cabin.

"Please don't leave, I don't like seeing you this sad and I think Bluefield would make it worse when you go back there and his...his not around to welcome you." I clasped her hand in mine and pleaded once again, my own tears clouding my vision.

I knew I was being pushy and selfish, but I couldn't bear the notion of leaving her alone; she was my best friend, and she was going through a lot right now.

Becky's face suddenly turned poker, but her eyes carried a violent wrath that was hunting for a way out, and I instantly knew I was about to be bathed in it.

"I'm in love with you Kyle, don't play dumb because I know you know!" Becky ignited, her gaze locked on mine.

"Do you really expect me to accompany you and your lover to a cabin provided by the murderer of my brother? To accomplish what exactly? Watch you fuck him in every corner of the house while I slowly die wishing I could burn him and the stupid place down?!"

Blinking, I let my head fall back and slowly rest on the tree as I stared dumbfoundedly at her. "Wow." was all I could say.

"I know." She murmured as tears streamed down her face.

"I don't want to be that person, Kyle, I don't want to be bitter. Right now, I'm slowly inching towards that black hole and I need to pull myself out before it's too late, I need to do it on my own, I'm sorry." Becky tightened her grip on my hand as she gazed at me, letting me see all the feelings she had been hiding behind thick sarcasm and harsh words, and I couldn't stop my tears from falling as well.

"I'm sorry." My throat thickened with sobs as sadness tore at my chest. "I didn't intend for any of this to happen, and I never intended to hurt you. You are one of the people I love most in the world, and seeing you so sad crushes my heart." My tears poured quicker and obscured my eyesight, and my grip on hers tightened to the point where my knuckles turned white. I didn't want to let go; I never wanted to let go.

Becky quickly drew me towards her and wrapped me in a powerful embrace.

"None of this is your fault, so don't ever say dumb shit like that again, you hear me?" She sobbed into my collarbone. "Do you understand me?" She asked again, this time more forcefully, while tightening her arms over my shoulders, and I couldn't help but nod against her neck.

"Use your words, Kyle," she demanded.

"I understand," I answered, and she nodded satisfied. After that we stayed there for a while, just the two of us conversing and admiring the beauty of nature around us until Ma finally called us in.

********

TWO DAYS LATER

"Alright, everyone, gather around." Ma turned to face us all as we gathered around her, setting down three duffle bags she had just finished stuffing with blankets and other essentials.