Amour - In the midst of chaos

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Serena

I stared at my reflection, trying to calm the tremble in my hands. My eyes locked onto the marks—dark, angry bruises scattered across my neck, collarbone, and shoulders. Each one a burning reminder of him. Of Ash. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my emotions in check, but the rawness of last night hung in the air like a storm waiting to break.

He was different. This wasn’t the boy I used to know. There was something in his eyes—a madness, an obsession that scared me. It wasn’t just like before. It was something darker, something that felt like it could burn us both alive. And yet for some reason, I was okay with getting burned. I have seriously lost it...

I applied the concealer on my neck, trying to hide the bruises. But there were too many! My reflection mocked me, the marks impossible to cover.

I looked at the time. He told me to be there by 9. And it's 8.50 already! Fuck it! There wasn't enough time for this. I will just wear a turtle neck top.

I grabbed the black turtleneck from my closet, pulling it on quickly to hide the evidence of his claim. The fabric was tight against my skin, but I needed it. I couldn’t walk in there with these marks on display. Not with him watching.

The clock ticked to 8:55. Time was slipping away, and the thought of seeing Ash again made my chest tighten. I grabbed my bag and left the room, heading to Professor Sycamore’s lab where the gang was gathering to discuss our next move in this war. But my mind wasn’t on the war. It was on him—on the look in his eyes, the way he had gripped me like I was slipping away from him.

Ash..

At Professor Sycamore Laboratory

The lab was already buzzing when I arrived, the air thick with tension. I slipped inside, quietly taking my seat among the others, hoping to remain unnoticed. But I could already feel him—feel his eyes on me, burning with that same wild intensity from the night before. He was not sorry... 

Garry was talking strategy, his voice steady and focused as Brock, Clemont and others leaned in to listen. Paul stood beside me, silent but heavy with the weight of unsaid words. He knew something was wrong. I could feel it in the way he kept glancing at me, the concern flickering in his eyes.

But Ash… he was across the room, his presence impossible to ignore. The second I stepped inside, his eyes locked onto mine, burning with a barely contained storm. His jaw was tight, fists clenched at his sides. I could see the anger still simmering beneath the surface, ready to explode at any moment. Well guess what Mr. Ketchum? I am angry too! You don't get to do what you did just because you feel so.

I avoided his gaze, focusing on Professor Sycamore, though my heart raced. We were planning the next move in this war, but my mind was miles away—trapped in the memory of last night, of Ash’s grip, his eyes, his claim.

"So what you are saying is that there has been no abnormal activity in Kalos as of now?" Brock leaned back in his chair, clearly frustrated.

"No, not that I have known," Professor Sycamore replied.

"Well, this makes everything more complicated," Iris sighed, crossing her arms. "What are we supposed to do now?"

"I have an idea," Professor Sycamore said, his eyes lighting up. "Why don’t you consult Lady Olympia? Perhaps she could provide some guidance."

"Yes, that's right!" Clemont chimed in. "Ash, remember how she predicted the Kalos crisis before?"

Ash’s gaze shifted, his eyes still dark with unresolved anger, but his voice was calm. "Yeah. I remember."