Roslyn

8

C H A P T E R  E I G H T  -
T R O U B L E

With a large gasp for air, Alicia's eyelids open. Her hazel irises quickly scanning the high oak ceiling with precise detail. She slowly sits up and holds onto her aching forehead as a large groan leaves her dry throat. She sits up and stares at the familiar room in complete confusion before her eyes slowly widen.

She remembers this room. Her eyes scan over each and every item within the room and she quickly jumps from the queen sized bed onto her feet.

The setting so eerily familiar that she becomes frightened. She has no recollection of ever being in this room, yet she feels as though she's been there almost her entire life. The feel of the silk sheets. The smell of the scented candles and the sight of the chestnut coloured walls. I've been here before.

Tumbling slightly into the wooden nightstand, the door to said room immediately opens and Michael hurriedly enters.

"Are you alright?" His eyes worriedly gloss over Alicia's face in sheer panic.

He steps forward and stops when Alicia's face falls. Her eyes gloss over and she takes a step back as she raises her hand to stop him. Staring at him in complete disbelief and bewilderment, Alicia's shudders as tears slowly begin to stream down her flushed cheeks.

Memories of her past and present begin to eat at her very soul. Clashing together and crowding her entire being. The overflow of emotions and memories too much to bear. She tries to calm herself but breaks down. She lets out a wail as she shuts her eyes and covers her mouth to soften the painful noise. Michael's heart shatters as he watches the love of his life become emotionally undone right in front of him.

Without a second thought he walks over towards her and takes her into his embrace. His large arms wrap around her small frame and for a moment she excepts the gesture. For only a moment, she's engulfed in her emotions and gives in to the feeling of being hugged by her lover. A lover whose touch she hadn't remembered feeling for over a decade.

Pushing Michael back with a heavy shove, Alicia slaps him. This action doesn't faze Michael as he once again tries to wrap his arms around her but to no avail. She pushes, claws and punches at him. None of these acts of pure violence affecting him at all.

"H-how could you?" Her words cut at him like a blunt knife and he physically cringes. "How could you do this to me?" Alicia holds onto her chest as she feels her heart physically begin to ache.

She slowly backs up into the wall and buckles over slightly as she makes her way down the oak wall. She sits on the floor and wails out a sorrowful cry.

"Alicia." Michael sadly calls.

He slowly kneels down before her and his eyes water over at the sight.

"I-I...I never meant to hurt you..."

Before he is able to say another word, Alicia abruptly stands to her feet and in shock. Michael jumps up and stumbles back.

"You made everyone believe that I was the one who killed Mona and Logan." She shouts. "You made everyone hate me. You made them hurt me." Her voice begins to crack as her face scrunches up. She struggles to catch her breath as the next thought utterly shatters her completely. "T-the towns people...you made them...you..you turned everyone against my father. You made everyone hate him." She lets out an exasperated breath as her anger begins to boil over. "You watched for years as the towns people attacked my father and all you have to say to me is that you never meant to hurt me? You watched them destroy the shop knowing how much it means to him. All these years you stayed silent and all you have to say is you never meant to fucking hurt me?"