Glassheart

Chapter 22

CHLOE'S POV
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It was morning when Red left to fetch us some food. I was seated in the courtyard, engrossed in my book, until I felt someone place their hands on my shoulders and kiss my neck. Startled, I realized it wasn't Red. I turned to find Harry standing behind me.

"How the hell are you back?" I shouted, disbelief flooding my voice.

"I don't think we need to dwell on that, Princess. You got me permanently exiled from Auradon, so I believe it's only fair that I seek my revenge on you or your little girlfriend," he replied, a menacing grin on his face. Fear gripped my heart as I felt its rapid thump against my chest. I bolted, and he immediately chased me. I dashed to the front of the school, where Uma was.

"Uma! Uma! He's back!" I cried desperately.

"What!?" she exclaimed, glancing over her shoulder to see Harry closing in.

"Guards!" Uma shouted. Harry regarded the guards defiantly and fought back. Uma rushed to assist them, but he easily overpowered them, leaving them sprawled helplessly on the ground.

"No, no, no!" I screamed as he grabbed my arm and dragged me to the same place he had taken me before. I kicked and screamed, tears streaming down my face, but it was futile—he was too strong.

"Shut the hell up!" he barked, slamming me against the wall. My head hit the surface with a jarring thud, and immediately, my vision blurred. I lost consciousness.

DREAM ENDS
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I woke up to a pitch-black room, my heart racing as I shot upright, gasping for breath and scanning the darkness. Tears filled my eyes as I covered my mouth upon seeing Red still peacefully asleep beside me. I glanced at the clock: it was two in the morning. Carefully, I rose to head to the bathroom, and as soon as I was alone, I couldn't hold back my tears any longer.

"Chloe?" Red groaned from the other side of the room.

"Yeah?" I replied, doing my best to compose myself as I walked out of the bathroom.

"Why are you up at this hour?" Red asked, concern etched on her face.

"I have no idea," I murmured, climbing back into bed.

"Are you feeling sick?" she pressed.

"No, I'm fine," I insisted, though she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me closer as I struggled to contain my emotions.

"Well, that's good. But if you're not sick, then what's going on? It has to be something," Red probed gently.

"It's... it's nothing," I choked out, the words barely escaping my lips. Red sat up and turned on the bedside lamp, and I felt the heaviness of my breathing return as tears began to stream down my cheeks.

"No, no, baby. Don't cry," Red said softly, pulling me into a comforting hug.

"I'm fine, Red," I replied, not wanting to burden her with my pain.

"Chloe, don't lie to me right now. You're crying while telling me you're fine," she said, her eyes searching mine, filled with concern. I tried to hold back the flood of emotions, but I couldn't contain it any longer. I clung to her tightly as she held me close.

"He was back," I sobbed.

"Who was?" Red asked, her voice steady but gentle.

"Harry! He tried to hurt me again. I found Uma, but she couldn't help me, and he took me away again, and he..." My words trailed off as I cried.