Shattered Asylum

Chapter 69

Authors note: Hey everyone, I know I haven't been uploading as fast lately. Honestly, I've been feeling a little unmotivated and stuck in writer's block, and sometimes it feels like no one really cares about this story. But for those of you who are actually reading, I just want to say thank you, it really means a lot. I'll be uploading a couple of chapters for you guys.

Hope you enjoy!

As the sun sinks lower, stretching shadows across the yard, I sit on the back porch, lost in my thoughts. Grayson's extended family left hours ago, their laughter and conversation fading into silence.

Kristina and Ethan are heading back to Ashfall Ridge in a few days, and I can't shake the feeling of how much I'll miss them. Having all these people around kept my mind busy, but now that they're gone... it's just me and my thoughts.

And my thoughts keep circling back to last night with Grayson. Was it just a moment of passion, or did it mean something more? Where did he go before that? And why was he covered in blood and bruises?

I haven't seen him since his relatives left. Apparently, he, Ethan, and some friends are filming a YouTube challenge, something like try not to laugh. His parents went to a bar about an hour ago, so it's just me and Kristina now.

Speaking of Kristina...

She steps outside, pulling me from my thoughts. "Hey, what's up? You look like you're a million miles away."

I force a smile, hoping it hides the mess in my head. "Just thinking about everything, I guess."

She tilts her head, eyes narrowing slightly. "About you and Grayson?"

I nod, biting my lip. She sits next to me, arms crossed, and I can practically see the gears turning in her head.

"Did you guys... you know? Or was it just naked cuddling?" she asks, smirking.

"Oh my hell, Kris!" Heat rushes to my face.

"What?" She shrugs. "Was there tickling involved?I'm just asking because the headboard kept trying to escape into my room."

My mouth opens in horror. "Was that... all you heard?" I'm not sure why I asked, because what Kristina says next will haunt my dreams for a month.

She stares at me for a moment, her cheeks slowly turning pink. She clears her throat. "I heard the bed begging for mercy, the wall getting assaulted, and you..." She gestures vaguely. "Well. I'll just say whatever was happening in there sounded violent. You were really fighting for your life."

Now it's my turn for my cheeks to burn, my body practically trying to fold in on itself.

"Don't worry," she adds with a wink. "He sounded like he was enjoying himself too."

"Okay! Okay... moving on," I blurt. My heart cannot take any more of this.

She raises her hands in surrender before zipping up her coat. We sit in silence for a bit, the wind rustling through the trees.

"Grayson only broke up with you to protect you," Kristina says suddenly. "He really loves you. I've never seen him like this before."

I glance at her, noting the almost sad expression on her face. Her words make my chest tighten, my heart stuttering in a way I don't want to acknowledge.

"I...he..." She exhales, rubbing her arms. "Just go easy on him, okay? He would tell you everything, but he wasn't allowed to."

Her tone shifts, face hardening.

"Not allowed? By who?" My stomach knots. What the hell has Grayson gotten himself into?

Kristina shakes her head, pulling something from her pocket. A smirk tugs at her lips as she unrolls a small piece of paper, and my stomach sinks.