Imperfect Life: Arc 8

Chapter 5

Later on that same night, Brandon made a solemn and quiet trip out to the abandoned stadium all on his own.

Walking down the suburban street at night creeped him out much more now that there wasn't a werewolf to protect him. He couldn't quite recall the last time he had felt this level of unnerve. Thankfully, his path was somewhat illuminated by the cool glow of the street lamps placed equally along the sidewalk. It only helped to settle his nerves just a little, but even a little bit went a long way.

"Why am I even going to the stadium?" He thought as he walked. He couldn't quite answer his own question though. In all honesty, he didn't really know why he was going there. Part of him secretly hoped Crys would be there, that she would hear him out, the two of them would embrace, and everything would go back to normal... though, he knew that would absolutely not be the case, which is why he wasn't aware of that secret hope. Regardless, he marched on in silence.

When he eventually did get to the stadium, he gazed up at it from his vantage point in the rundown parking lot he was standing in. It loomed over him, and the whole place seemed to look much more broken and decayed than usual. It was odd, he thought. Maybe he just hadn't really decided to ever properly look at the stadium before. Whatever the reason was, he didn't quite care at the moment. He just walked on in through the entrance after gazing for another minute or so. Slowly he made his way up to the rooftop of the stadium. He noted how much more unsettling the worn down stadium was now that he was alone. Every little gust of wind made some sort of unnatural sound as it weaved through the crumbling walls and rubble. Shadows seemed to close in all around. It always felt like somewhere off in the not-so-distant distance there was something watching. It was no wonder that this place had gained such a reputation, even before Crys had become the truth to the rumors. Now on the roof, Brandon made his way over towards the ledge while avoiding the few holes scattered about, keeping a respectable distance away from it, but still close enough. He sat down on the rooftop and looked up towards the night sky. It was a clear night out. Beautiful, actually. Sitting on top of the stadium, away from all the lights, it was so easy to see the stars. Brandon let his mind wander.

"What am I doing here?" He thought. "All I wanted was a little break from my life, and now... this... I wish I could just talk to Crys. I mean, it's not her fault. Seinhou pushed her too far. She couldn't take it anymore. Yeah, okay, so, her lashing out was definitely bad, but still. She couldn't help it. I can't blame her for that... and all she did was push me aside. She didn't hurt me. She wouldn't do that... but of course she's just going to keep blaming herself the whole time. Think she's a monster... it's a miracle I was even able to help her after what happened with Josh, and that other werewolf. If she'd only listen to me! Then maybe things can go back to normal! Ugh!" Brandon took a deep breath. "But she's so stubborn. She'll just keep running away from me like she did today. I know she will... maybe... maybe I should just go back home. She won't listen to me even if I tried. Just give up and leave. I mean, she's the only reason I'm staying here this long in the first place... none of this would have happened if I never showed up. Maybe coming here was a mistake..." Brandon pondered the idea without using any words, even in thinking. "I don't know..." He continued. "I mean, sure, Tomas and Emma might wonder where I went, but I could just leave them a note or something. Maybe just go over to their house and explain everything before leaving... but then what about Crys? I mean, sure she wants to keep away from me, but that's only because she thinks she hurt me. And what happens if I leave? It might break her heart... I-I can't do that to her. I need to stay. I need to stay and help her, like she helped me. I can't give up. I've gotta help Crys. I need to talk to her." With that, Brandon got up, filled with a newfound sense of determination. He started back home in a much less solemn way now that his head was clear and his mind was made up. He was going to get through to Crys, no matter what it took.

Meanwhile, Crys, unaware of Brandon's new resolve to help her, was in her room. She was curled up in the corner, knees drawn to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs, tears in her eyes, filled with terror. She was barely making a sound, bar the little bits of sporadic breathing she did. She had already tried going to sleep, but it was no good. She was too scared. All throughout her mind all she could see was what she had done. All she could see was the fear in her friend's eyes. And she was horrified knowing that her friends were trying to get close to her again. She barely slept at all that night.