𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐜 ☀︎︎ 𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒔 𝒙 𝒐𝒄

She's Innocent I Swear!

{tw: gore, mention of suicide!}

It took over an hour, but eventually the two were able to clear out most of the downtown area and loot. They found a key to a pet store but still hadn't been able to find it. Currently they were walking in front of a larger building trying to find the pet store. Ellie then noticed a sign on the building that peaked her interest.

"Hey let's take a look here really quickly." Ellie said, slowing Shimmer to a stop. Ellie got off first, and helped Renae down after. They walked into the building and Renae realized why Ellie wanted to come inside.

"It's a music store!" Renae said as she looked at the various instruments and cds. Ellie smiled as she began to investigate the place. Renae went over to a somewhat broken drum set and hit it with her palms. "If I was in the old world I would totally be a drummer." She said as she played a melodic tune with her hands. Ellie walked over and grimaced.

"Maybe you could just be my groupie." Ellie said, which made Renae stop and look at her quizzically.

"What's a groupie?" Renae asked as Ellie began to walk up some broken stairs.

"Basically it's like a super fan that follows the band and supports the artists." Ellie said. Renae made a small noise of agreement and then turned to the vinyls on the wall. She looked through and saw one she recognized. "I had this one at my house!" She said as she held it up to show Ellie. But Ellie wasn't there. "El?" Renae said as she looked around. Then she heard a strum pattern that came from a room she hadn't touched yet. So she quietly walked in and saw a beautiful sight. There Ellie sat, with a guitar on her lap, and a somber look on her face. She looked so focused and quaint. When she noticed Renae though she stopped abruptly. Renae smiled as she sat down on the floor and looked up at Ellie. "What was that?" Renae asked. Ellie just shrugged and then shifted her position.

"Do you remember what I played at the bonfire that night?" Ellie asked. Renae nodded, and twiddled her fingers.

"How could I forget?" Renae said. Ellie placed her fingers on the guitar and began to strum a melody that struck close to home with Renae. It wasn't the song Ellie played at the bonfire, no it was something a lot more meaningful. The tone was blissful and Renae felt like crying thinking about the memory that came with it.

-:-:-:-

I sit in my bed, listening to "Take on Me". My walkman is playing the song as I write in my journal the events that had happened throughout the day. It was my thirteenth birthday last week! In between the song, Alissa walks in and sits on the end of my bed. I take my earbuds out and shut my journal. She looks upset.

"Is everything okay Liss?" I asked. She pursed her lips and looked at me.

"Yeah. Everything is just peachy Renae." She replied. She was definitely lying. I sat up more and crawled over to sit next to her. Even sitting next to her brought butterflies into my belly. She didn't acknowledge me for a few seconds, but then she held out her hand. "Can you come with me really quickly?" Without even thinking I got my shoes on and grabbed her hand. She led me outside of the room and down the hall of the hospital. We go down the stairs and then outside. We don't talk at all but that's normal for us. We don't need to talk to understand each other. As we walked I could feel a slight tremor go through her hand. Maybe it's nerves.

Alissa and I have been friends ever since I got to Saint Mary's Base four years ago. She's honestly my best friend and as of recently I think I have a small crush on her. But I don't know if it's actually a thing because I've never had a crush on a girl before. What if she found out? What if she thinks it's awkward?

Soon we stop in a small clearing far away from the hospital. The sun is setting, and it's honestly beautiful. The animals are trotting around the grassy land below and the air is fresh. I was beginning to take in the air when Alissa spoke the worst words I've ever heard.