My Inner Demons (if it was continued...)

Chapter 9: Stay

Recap...

"Don't tell me he's.." Noi uttered, causing the room to fall into a deafening silence.

My eyes flickered as tears began to pool. With one hand clasped into a ball, I hovered the other over the parasite like magic as I hang my head. "This is all my fault" I whispered as I shut my eyes tight- feeling the tears drip down to the body under me. Causing him to hiss in pain.

...

...I'm useless...

"-AVA! SNAP OUT OF IT!"

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My eyes shot open as I was quickly brought to reality. Realizing Rhys was in front of me- both hands gripping my shoulders while a troubled expression settled on his face. Behind him I could see the white haired boy begin to stir. My heart was beginning to pound. We were a couple of steps away from him- did Rhys drag me here without me realizing? And Leif?-

"What happened? Is he-"

"Ava" Rhys uttered- his tone, ominous as he stared daggers into my eyes. I couldn't help but shrink back- Did I do something wrong? "How did you do that"

I furrow my brows, confused at his vexed tone. "Do what?"

"You just healed Leif!" My eyes widened as I quickly tilted my head to look at the limp boy laying on the cot like bed. I could feel my lips part as I stared at his chest in shock. Those white vein-like marks, they were gone. Not even a scar to remember it by. As if it never happened. "Ava. You need to tell me how you did that" He demanded.

I shook my head as I tried to form sentences with the words that wouldn't come out. "I- I don't know" I sighed, exasperated and taken aback by his hostile demeanor.

"You have to know! That spell- that magic! That's not something you can just randomly turn on!"

"Well, I- I don't know what to tell you!" I exclaimed, as I found myself speechless.

"Rhys- if she doesn't know, then she doesn't know" I heard Asch say as he placed a hand on his shoulder- causing Rhys to reluctantly let me go. "But Princess Ava..." He stopped, "Is this the first time this something like this has happened?"

"Yes- I promise you!" I cried out.

"I believe you"

It all felt wrong. I felt as if I was backed into a corner. Despite saying they believed me, it seemed like there was a shred of doubt, as if they didn't want to believe. From what I thought would be a reassuring moment, I couldn't help but feel out of place. Like I didn't belong in that room at that very moment, that very second. Like I was an outcast.

I look off to the side, choosing to avoid their gaze. "I swear I don't know" I said, my voice a mere whisper as I quickly walked towards the door. "I need some air" I say as I hear Asch call out to me before the door slams shut behind me.

I take in a rigid breath as my knees begin to give. Leaning my back against the wall, I slide down with my hands covering my face and my knees tucked in. I could feel tears beginning to swell for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

I didn't do anything. I could've sworn I didn't. But he's healed. There's no denying that. And that's great- but.. why do they look at me like I'm an alien. Like I'm a stranger...

I stifle a breath as memories of high school began to resurface. The feeling of being isolated, not welcomed, unwanted- it all began to rush at me. And so did the tears. They began to run down my face as my hands frantically tried to wipe them away.