These Shattered Remains (GE Series, Book One)

Nιɴeтeeɴ: Tнe Mιѕт

Ryn

The girl sat in the back of the closet, her knees up to her chest, the box clutched to her chest. She was hiding under a pile of Oliver's clothes, her eyes clamped shut as she tried to stop shaking. She'd been in the room for 3 days now, not daring, or caring, to come outside. She'd read over the letter so many times.

We're coming soon.

She felt the weight of the world weighing down on her, a heavy pressure that she couldn't escape from. She wanted everyone she loved inside with her, until they had come and gone, but she knew she couldn't. So, she would stay in the closet until she felt safe. Which, apparently, wasn't fast enough for Oliver, who had knocked on the door for 3 hours straight.

"Ryn, open the door," he called, for the 15th time in the past 30 minutes, "Please. Staying in the closet isn't going to protect Max."

"Then get Max and bring him in here with me."

"No, Ryn, the closet can't protect you. Only you can protect you. You can protect yourself better than I ever could, and you secretly know that, even if you don't want to admit it." his voice was slightly muffled from the other side of the door. She didn't bother to answer him. She didn't feel like she was protecting herself. But she didn't know what else to do but hide.

She was tired of fighting back. Every time she dared to fight back, someone got hurt. So, she decided that she'd just conform. Let nature take it's course. After all, to her, life is like a virus. It comes into you at birth, takes its course with you, and like with all terminal illnesses, leaves you dead in the end.

Her hands shook as she looked down at the box. She kept it on the floor in front of her now, trying her best not to pick it up. She didn't know if she wanted to open it or closed, but she kept it closed because of fear. She felt like if she opened it, something evil would fly out, like Pandora's Box. She wouldn't open it. She wouldn't.

But, still, the little voice inside of her told her to. And this time, she listened. Her trembling hands reached forward, opening the box. Nothing happened. Her fingers ran over the carvings on the inside of it, making her smile softly. She didn't know how much time passed before Andy spoke up instead of Oliver.

"Ryn, I've got alcohol." Andy called, and Ryn looked up, hesitating for a moment. "...what kind." She slowly stood up, making her way over to the door and leaning against it. Andy didn't miss a beat. "SKYY. And some beer." she heard a soft clink of glass against the wood, signalling he wasn't lying. It took Ryn a moment before she registered that this was all part of a plan to get her out.

But, Andy knew her best, and had gotten the one thing that was her true weakness. Slowly, she turned the knob, pushing the door open. She peeked her head out, seeing the relief flash across Oliver's face. He ran up to her, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her neck, "Don't lock yourself in there again, please..." he whispered.

Andy slapped a hand onto her shoulder, "Yeah, don't. All I've had to listen to for the past days are how much he missed you and how much he wanted you to come out. For crying out loud. He really does love you, though," he smiled proudly at her, "Glad you could find someone like that."

Ryn ignored him and grabbed the blue bottle from him, tossing her head back and taking a long swig. She swallowed it, sighing softly and looking down at it. "You knew just what to do, didn't you?" She sighsd, looking up at Andy, who shrugged, smiling at her. "Of course."