Echoes of Wonderland

Hardest to love

Red's POV

The tension in the air lingers long after the Stabbington brothers finally back off. Stewart eyes Chloe warily as he slowly steps away from me, hands still raised, though his bravado hasn't completely left him.

- You've got about three seconds to leave. - Chloe says, her voice cold and steady, the tip of her sword unwavering as it presses against his throat.

My heart skips a beat. Chloe's voice.

Stewart hesitates, his eyes flicking between me and Chloe, weighing his options.

- And what makes you think your little sword scares me, princess? - He sneers, his voice dripping with condescension.

I feel a surge of anger at the way he says that—princess. My fists clench at my sides, and I swear, if he even thinks about hurting her...

But before he can do anything, shadows begin to slither around his feet, dark tendrils wrapping around his ankles. Celia steps forward from behind Chloe, her hands outstretched, shadows curling around her fingers like smoke. She smiles, dark and knowing.

- I'd leave if I were you. - Celia says, her voice low and dangerous. The shadows tighten around Stewart's legs, and he stumbles, eyes widening in fear. - You don't wanna mess with us.

The Stabbington brothers exchange a glance, clearly deciding that living another day is more important than whatever revenge they had planned. With one last sneer, Stewart backs away, pulling Stevie along with him. They disappear into the alley, muttering curses under their breath.

The moment they're gone, the tension in my shoulders evaporates, but it's quickly replaced by something else—something much heavier. Chloe is standing right there, sword still in hand, her chest rising and falling as she breathes, her eyes fixed on me.

I don't know how to react. My body goes stiff, every muscle tense as I try to control the storm of emotions suddenly surging inside me. Seeing her again—hearing her voice after all these months—it's too much. I want to run to her, to wrap her in my arms and never let go, but I can't. I won't let myself.

I put up the same walls I've been hiding behind since the day I left her.

Chloe lowers her sword and steps toward me, her eyes softening just a little. I want to believe it's out of concern, but I force myself to stay cold.

- Red. - She says, her voice quieter now, almost tentative. - Are you okay?

Her question makes something inside me crack, just for a second. I hate that she cares, that she's still worried about me, even after everything. I force a shrug, brushing past her, trying to ignore the way my chest tightens just being this close to her.

- I'm fine. - I mutter, my voice rough and distant. - Go away.

I push past her, my shoulder brushing hers as I walk, but she grabs my arm, pulling me back. There's a flash of hurt in her eyes, but it's quickly replaced by frustration.

- Wow, really? Not even a thank you? - Chloe says, her tone sharp, but there's an edge of something deeper in her voice—something raw.

Celia and Dizzy stand behind her, watching the scene unfold, the shadows around Celia's feet fading back into the ground.

I clench my jaw, keeping my expression cold. I can't let her get to me. I have to stay strong, stay distant.

- What the fuck do you want me to say? - I snap, my voice harder than I intend. - Thank you for saving my life? There. I said it. Now go away.

Chloe's eyes widen slightly at the way I curse, but then her expression hardens. Her jaw clenches, and she takes a step closer, refusing to let me brush her off.

- Drop the act, Red! - She shouts, her voice full of frustration. - I know you don't mean anything you're saying. You didn't mean it three months ago, and you don't mean it now!

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, I can't breathe. She's right. She's so right, and it scares the hell out of me. I can feel my walls starting to crack, but I fight to keep them up, to stay in control.

I grit my teeth, shaking my head.

- You don't know what you're talking about. - I say, my voice barely steady, but Chloe's not backing down.

She lets out a bitter laugh, her frustration boiling over.

- Don't do that, Red. Don't pretend like I don't know you. You can push everyone else away, lie to yourself all you want, but not with me. I'm not stupid. I know you still care. I know why you left, and I know you didn't mean a damn word of it.

Her words hit like a sledgehammer, breaking down every defense I've put up. But I refuse to let her see it. I refuse to let her know how much it's killing me to stand here, to keep pretending like I don't love her. Like leaving her wasn't the worst decision I've ever made.

I turn away from her, my hands shaking as I try to hold onto the façade.

- You don't know anything. - I spit, though the words feel hollow even to me. - You think I care? You think any of this matters? I left because I didn't want you. Because I'm not the person you want me to be.

Chloe's eyes narrow, and for a second, I see the hurt flash in her eyes again, but she doesn't let it stay. Instead, she steps closer, her face inches from mine.

- Bullshit. - She snaps, her voice filled with an anger I've never heard from her before. - You left because you were scared. Because you thought you'd ruin everything by staying. But guess what? You're not protecting me by pretending you don't care. You're just hurting both of us.

Her words cut deep, deeper than I thought possible. And the worst part is, I know she's right. I left her to protect her, to keep her safe from the mess I've become. But standing here, hearing the pain in her voice, I can see that I didn't protect her at all. I just hurt her worse.

I try to turn away again, to put more distance between us, but she grabs my arm, her grip firm, almost desperate.

- Look at me, Red. - She pleads, her voice breaking. - I'm not some fragile little girl you have to protect from the world. I'm not your responsibility, and you're not mine. But I love you, and I'm not letting you throw us away because you're too afraid to let yourself be loved.

Her words shatter the last bit of resolve I've been holding onto, and for a moment, I just stand there, staring at her. She's tougher now, stronger. And it terrifies me because I can't hide from her anymore.

- You're wrong. - I whisper, my voice barely audible. - I'm not good for you, Chloe. I never was.

She lets out a frustrated breath, her hand still on my arm, her grip tightening.

- Stop it, Red. Stop lying to yourself. You think I'm better off without you? You think I've been okay these last three months? I didn't even know if you were alive! - Her voice cracks, but she doesn't let up. - I'm not afraid of who you are, or what you've done. I'm afraid of losing you.

The emotion in her voice, the raw honesty, shatters me. I can't hold back the flood of feelings anymore. I've spent three months pretending I didn't need her, but I do. I always have.

But I still don't know how to let her in. How to stop being afraid.

- Chloe... - I start, my voice cracking as I finally meet her eyes.

I see the hope there—a fragile flicker of what we used to be. It's so clear, so palpable, like the chance of going back to the person I was. The person she made me want to be. That hope is terrifying because it makes me want to break. I'm standing on the edge, one step from falling right back into her arms, from letting everything out.

But I can't. I won't.

- You shouldn't be here. - I say, my throat tight. I force the words out, make them sound cold, make them push her away. - Go home.

I see the flicker in her eyes dim for a moment, like I've extinguished the flame myself. Chloe's lips part, and I know she's about to protest, but I hold my ground, even though it's killing me inside.

I'm about to lose her all over again.

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Come ooooon, Red!
You stubborn little bitch🙇🏻‍♀️