The Truths that are Hidden Away [ANGST]

Part 8 ~ Why?

TW: Implied suicide/attempted suicide

Alec woke up the next morning, surprised to see Fiore was gone. No where to be found. He panicked, and noticed her notebook open on her nightstand. No. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no. Theres no way. No way. NO WAY! He frantically read the page.

"Alec. I'm so sorry. Thanks for being the best father figure I could ask for. You're the only person who has ever truly made me feel safe. Tell the others I'm sorry too. Sorry I was so mean. Tell my parents I'm sorry. Sorry I was such a disappointment. Maybe things will be better this way. I'm sorry. I've went down that trail you showed me. It's so beautiful. It'll be the last thing I see. I love you. I'm sorry."

There's no way. No way. NO WAY! Alec frantically ran out of the room.
"Has anyone seen Fiore!?" He yelled. People turned to face him.
"Nope." Ashley replied.
"No, I haven't." Connor said.
"Why are you looking for her?" Hunter asked. Alec gathered everyone around a table so they could read the note. Gasps were heard.
"There's no way..." Ellie mumbled. Alec looked horrified. He looked so close to crying, he didn't want to fail as a father again. Ashley sighed.
"I...I can't believe it..." She admitted.
"She's not dead! She can't be!" Alec yelled, before running out of the motel. Everyone looked shocked. They couldn't believe what they were reading. Did Fiore actually kill herself? Or was it just a way to get sympathy points? Alec frantically ran down the path, as fast as he could. He didn't know how long Fiore had been out, but it was a long path. And she is a slow runner. He has to catch up to her, he just has to. He wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't. He kept running. He refused to stop. He wouldn't stop until he found her. He kept running, he was out of breath, but he didn't care. All he cared about was finding Fiore. That's all he wanted. All he needed. He kept running down the trail, hoping he'd find her.

- Back at the Motel -

Everyone was searching around the motel for Fiore, making sure she wasn't pulling a trick on them. They looked everywhere, nothing. They were all shocked.
"I can't believe it..." Grett muttered.
"Me either..." Connor shared. "I talked to Alec yesterday and he told me Fiore has been having a rough time, but I never thought it would lead to this..." Connor admitted. Eyes turned to look at him, signaling for him to continue. He explained what Alec told him about her parents, and her current situation. Everyone looked shocked. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"I can't believe what I'm about to say...but poor kid..." Ashley muttered. Everyone nodded, Fiore hadn't been the nicest, but they hadn't either. They couldn't believe she was driven to suicide.

- Back with Alec -

Alec was still running, trying his hardest to reach Fiore. He was so close to the end of the trail. All he could do was pray he wasn't too late. He finally reached where the bus of losers drops everyone off. He gasped for air, before hearing cries. Fiore. He turned to see Fiore crying next to a bush.
"Fiore!" Alec yelled, relieved. Fiore looked up in surprise. Her eyes were wide, her face was red, tears streaming down her face like never before. Alec quickly picked her up. Her heart was racing. She was shaking like crazy. She looked terrified. Alec ran with her in his arms, as she sobbed. Loudly. This was nothing like before. Alec felt terrible. Downright awful. She was just a kid. Her cries were the only thing he could hear.

Alec finally reached the motel and burst in. Everyone turned to face him, their eyes landing on Fiore. Her messy clothes and hair, her wide eyes, the tears on her face. They were speechless. Alec sat on the floor and held Fiore in his arms. Trying his best to calm her down. Her breathing was heavy, and shaky. The others all looked at Alec. He looked terrified, breathless. They felt bad for both of them. He was hugging her so tightly. So glad he didn't lose her so soon. Everyone heard Fiores genuine cries for the first time. Alec slowly lifted her up and carried her to their room. Everyone watched as the two walked in. They all exchanged glances. Alec sat on the bed, Fiore still in his arms. Her sobs were broken up by desperate gasps for air. He felt terrible. He could feel how much she was shaking.
"I-I-I'm...I-I'm s-so sorry..." She muttered, stuttering. Alec felt even worse.
"Don't be sorry. I'm just glad you're okay..." Alec replied. He hugged her tighter. She sobbed louder.
"I-I-I just...I-..." She couldn't muster the words.
"Shhhh...Just calm down. It's okay. I've got you." Alec said. Those words alone were enough to make Fiore cry even harder. Alec continued to hug her as she cried. He was so relieved that she was okay. He didn't want to lose another kid.

.     .     .

An hour or so had passed. Fiore was finally calmed down, to an extent. She was laying down in their bed, refusing to talk at all. Connor had come to check on them a while ago. The others hadn't said much, at least not yet. Alec sat near Fiore.
"Fiore? Are you hungry?" Alec asked. Fiore nodded slightly. "Well, do you want me to get you something?" He questioned. Fiore nodded. "Do you mind if I get you...uh...a sandwich?" Fiore nodded again. Alec went to go get them both lunch. Heads turned to face him as soon as he opened the door.
"Alec! How's Fiore?" Ashley asked.
"She's okay physically. But otherwise...I'm not sure. She won't say a single word at the moment." Alec explained. The others at the motel exchanged concerned glances. Alec walked over to get their lunch. Nobody really said much, everyone was still shocked. Alec picked up lunch for both him and Fiore and returned to their room. He gently laid Fiore's plate on her bed, she sat up and began eating. Alec ate too. It was a quiet lunch. A very quiet lunch. Neither of them knew what to say. Fiore looked at Alec as she ate, and he looked back. It was like a twisted staring contest. She finally broke the silence.
"Thanks for looking for me..." She muttered, quietly. Alec barely heard her.
"Of course...I was so worried..." He admitted. Fiore looked up in surprise.
"I'm surprised you didn't want to leave me for dead..." She said. Alec was shocked. Why would he do that? He moved to sit next to Fiore.
"I care about you, you know. I really do." He said. Fiore looked up at him, her eyes wide. She smiled, a bit teary-eyed. She hugged Alec. He hugged her back.