Deep Dark Blues

Chapter 32 - Last Goodbyes

She pressed her lips firmly against his, trying to tune out his presence altogether.

You are doing this for a reason...

You will thank me later...

She knew that would buy her some time and yet, the taste of him put unbearable sourness in her mouth. It wasn't him... It was never meant to be him... And yet, Reed let his hand cup her face while he moved closer.

Tears stung in her eyes, stomach turning at her own actions and yet she let him touch and caress her. She tried to ignore the invasive touches and the disgusting grunts buddying in his throat.

Think Reed!

Think!

If she pressed closer, maybe she could reach the gun.

With great reluctance, she moved her hand to rest against his chest. At first glance, it was a sweet, almost movie-like, gesture of affection but Reed's ulterior motives made her slide the hand lower down his ribs. In the ideal world, Reed wouldn't have to participate in the vile act at all...

But life was unfair... And that very last part of her was given away in exchange for a chance at succeeding. Ryan's lips stretched in a tentative smile under hers, brow quirking up at the false boldness. Reed wanted to throw up... She wanted to part and scream.

That's not what is happening.

I would rather die than...

But all she could do was let him capture her much smaller hand into his own, bringing it up as if they were waltzing.

No... No, she couldn't hold it any longer.

She parted from him, gasping for air.

Reed looked right at him, trying to mask the inner disgust, but the sight before her shook her to the very core.

Ryan was... smiling...

He watched her in what seemed like a drunken daze, cheeks dusted pink. His lips looked raw, glistening with saliva while he stretched in a pleased smirk. Reed couldn't help but feel something break at the newfound light that shone in his eyes, lighting up the emerald irises just like before...

Reed was sitting across from the man she met on the very first day once again.

"I..." she stuttered, but Ryan shushed her before she could finish.

"You can't believe how... How happy you've just made me... I..."

His eyes bore holes in her heart and soul.

So hopeful.

So alive.

"Rowan, I-"

"I am sorry-"

With no warning, Reed's fingers closed around the bigger vial, slamming it with her whole strength against Ryan's face. The world slowed down again...

Reed watched mesmerized as the dark glass shattered against his temple, brown shards flying in all directions, cutting up the skin of her fingers. Ryan's forehead erupted with blood, cheek and nose slashed by the speeding shards but Reed wasn't done there... She could still feel his grip on her palm, now excruciating as his body reacted to pain. Without much thinking, she raised her hand again, still holding the broken-off neck of the bottle before she slammed the sharp edges against Ryan's neck.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

The familiar feeling of warm slickness flooded her hand, droplets of blood splattering on her face. She didn't even feel herself straddling him, delivering blow after blow to his neck and collarbone.