Haunt

Ch. 13- Unwanted Attraction

Don't be afraid?

I wish I knew how to not be afraid of someone who has caused me physical pain. I wish it were as easy as closing a door, locking it and throwing away the key.

But Eric is unpredictable and this is only a moment with him. Soon he will go back to being the man that hit me, who called me names, who doesn't care whether or not he's hurt me.

My eyes flutter open, my head still rests against Eric's chest.

"Eric."

His face is still hidden in my hair but relentlessly he pulls back, still not releasing me completely.

His eyes are wracked with concern but there is still an underlining darkness. That's what scares me the most. Not knowing when he'll turn into something else. Something frightening and monstrous.

"What is it?"

I shake my head and push against his chest again. This time, he lets me go.

"I can't be seen with you...my parents...they're so upset with me already." And now that I've actually said it out loud, I know how upset I really am about them not speaking to me.

Eric's hand comes up to my cheek, his thumb lightly running over the bruise. He sets his jaw, a stern look settling over his features.

"Why are they upset with you?"

I look to the ground, embarrassed.

"Because of how I've acted. Because I'm not like them." I confess and to Eric of all people.

His hand drops.

"Because you're not Amity?"

Tears fill my eyes and my confidence wavers. I always wanted to admit what I've known is true. That I don't belong here, that I'm not like these kind hearted people that surround me. But I was a coward. A coward too afraid of taking a risk.

I look up at Eric with glossy eyes. His brow is furrowed with confusion. It only takes me a second to know that this won't end well so I run. I slip past him before he can catch me and I run towards home, tears streaming down my face.

"Lianna!" Eric's authoritative voice calls after me.

I don't look back.

I can't be vulnerable in front of the one person I have to prove myself to.

****

Hours later...around midnight

There is a steady patter of rain that hits the window. Every now and then, lightning will crack and a low sound of thunder rumbles. All else is quiet. Mom and Dad sleep silently downstairs and Kayla is away, gone to a friends house. It is just me up in the loft. Alone.

What do I do?

Who am I?

How do I face the one impossible problem in my life?

Changing factions is out of the question. I had my chance two years ago and I didn't take it. I stood on the sidelines, not wanting to disappoint my parents, my sister. I should have thought of myself. What I really wanted.

I should have done the right thing.

I pull the sheets tighter around my body and close my eyes. Nothing can be done now. There's no point in dwelling on things that are in the past.

Rain begins to pour harder from the sky, rattling the windows. The sounds of the storm roar louder and louder by the second. I almost don't hear the tapping on my window but my eyes drift to the clear glass and there, in the shadows, I see a dark figure.