~the undead Diaries~ (re-editing!!)

secrets

"How could this have happened?" Brodey exclaimed, his voice trembling as he struggled to contain his anger. Tears streamed down his cheeks, a mix of fury and heartbreak.

"All we did was play around with the weapons, and yes, we caused some injuries, but if he got hurt and turned, while I got hurt and didn't, how the hell does that even make sense?" 

The weight of his despair hung in the air, filling the room as we exchanged looks of sympathy and concern. We all knew how close he was to Kai, but none of us anticipated the depth of his reaction to Kai's transformation.

"Where's Zilla?" Arrow suddenly broke the silence, glancing sideways at me. We all shrugged, uncertainty radiating among us like an electric current. Arrow scanned the room, and just as he was about to speak again, a cacophony erupted from the kitchen—clinking metal and raucous crashing that set our hearts racing.

Instinctively, our heads snapped toward the source of the noise. Bracing himself, Arrow exchanged looks with us, then stride purposefully toward the kitchen, with Brodey a step behind him, urgency in his movements. We remained rooted in place, a mix of anxiety and anticipation binding us as we stood there in silence for what felt like an eternity—twenty minutes ticking by like hours.

Finally, the tension broke as Arrow and Brodey returned, dragging Zilla alongside them. She stumbled into the room, completely defeated, her eyes swollen and red from crying. She was on the verge of collapsing under the weight of her emotions as if standing was a monumental effort. The sight of her desolation tightened the knot in our stomachs, leaving us to wonder what we could do to help amid our grief.

Arrow turned toward Zilla, his expression a mix of empathy and resolve. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder before pulling her into a comforting embrace. Zilla sat there, momentarily taken aback, her eyes wide with surprise as the reality of the moment washed over her. For a fleeting second, her tense features softened, but the dam holding back her emotions quickly broke. 

She erupted into tears, burying her face deep into Apollo's shoulder, clinging to him as if he were her lifeline. The sound of her cries echoed like a painful melody, tugging at my heartstrings and reminding me of the harsh truth—that none of us were to blame for this turmoil; it was an unfortunate twist of fate. Zilla had fought valiantly to help, yet her efforts felt so small in the vastness of the situation.

Brodey stepped forward, his presence steadying, and wrapped his arms around Zilla from the side, adding his strength to the circle of support. Darcy and Monrow, sensing the need for solidarity, stood up and approached, joining the embrace with a silent understanding of the gravity of the moment. I sat there for a moment longer, wrestling with my hesitation, contemplating whether to remain on the sidelines or to step closer. 

Finally, I made my choice. Rising from my seat, I walked over, wrapping my arms around Arrow from behind, feeling the warmth of his support and the weight of our shared sorrow. With my free hand, I gently rested it on Zilla's head, hoping to soothe her with whatever comfort I could provide in this heart-wrenching moment.

As the tension in the air began to dissipate, everyone gradually stepped back, creating some space around Zilla and Arrow. They lingered for a moment, their eyes locked in a shared understanding that spoke volumes without the need for words. 

Just then, Brodey sprinted back to Zilla, enveloping her in a warm embrace. A soft, mirthful laugh escaped her lips, breaking the heavy silence, and she looked up at the group surrounding them, her expression a mix of gratitude and vulnerability.

"Thank you, everyone," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I know I haven't exactly been the best version of myself over these past few hours. But I promise, I'll strive to improve." A wan smile crossed her face, revealing the weight she carried inside.

Brodey tightened his hold around her, trying to infuse her with comfort, while Arrow stood beside me, his words flowing with sincerity. "It's okay, Zilla. None of this was your fault. All of it happened beyond our control, especially yours. You fought so hard to save him, and it just didn't work out. That's not on you." His voice was calm and steady, a beacon of reassurance amid their turmoil

The rest of us nodded in agreement, our expressions filled with empathy and solidarity. "You have to believe that everything Apollo was a lie," I added gently, wanting to reinforce the notion. "He would never say those things with any real intent. 

We know who you are, and that defines you far more than any harsh words." The warmth of our collective support hung in the air, a reminder that we were in this together, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.

Caught up in the whirlwind of the moment, he had acted on instinct. Monrow, standing behind me, added, "He was probably the closest thing Kai had to a brother, apart from Finn."

Zilla turned to Monrow, her brow furrowed in a blend of uncertainty and curiosity, the look on her face like a puzzle waiting to be solved. "Finn?" she asked, her voice woven with bewilderment, akin to a delicate spider web caught in the morning light. 

"Yes, Finn was Kai's adopted brother," Monrow replied swiftly, her eyes darting with the gravity of the revelation. "They shared a bond that was deeper than blood, a connection forged through shared experiences and an unbreakable loyalty"

Zilla's expression was one of complete disbelief, her wide eyes reflecting the shock that coursed through her. She cast a glance toward the staircase, where the other two figures lingered in the shadows, before redirecting her attention to Brodey. With a sudden urgency, she grasped his arm and pulled him away from her, her determination clear as she turned her back to him and headed up the stairs.

Arrow and I exchanged a look, silently agreeing to follow her lead as we trailed behind. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and we left the rest of the group behind, their uncertain murmurs fading into the background.

Zilla reached the top of the stairs and approached the heavy door that stood sentinel between us and Apollo. She paused for a moment, her hand hovering over the cold metal handle as if gathering her thoughts. After a few agonizing seconds, she steeled herself and pushed the door open with a firm push.

I instinctively stepped forward, intending to close the door gently behind us, giving them the privacy to air their frustrations without the prying ears of the others. As the door creaked open, the dim light spilled into the corridor, illuminating Zilla's determined silhouette as she prepared to confront the storm that awaited her inside.