Secrets

Chapter 36 : Change of Heart (Past event) part two

Quinn's P.O.V

"Quinn, I know you told Pyro."

Hydro's growl echoed in my mind and all around us. Cora's expression was one of confusion as her single eye flickered to Hydro then to me. She clearly didn't know what he was talking about. But I knew all too well, and it clawed at my stomach. 'I should have kept my mouth shut. Why do I have to blab so much?' But I didn't want this to come from Hydro; the Vaporeon's eyes were shadowed with something dark, and the intensity of his green gaze sent a chill down my spine. "...let me explain," I whispered, a bit afraid of what this would do to Cora. I told her secret to Pyro, 'I'm to blame for Solar's death.' The thought bites into me bitterly. Do I even deserve forgiveness for this? But I shake my head, my crimson eyes full of regret and sorrow as I glance at my sister, then to Hydro. The Vaporeon worked his claws into the hard rocky surface.

"So you admit it then?" He snarls, showing his white teeth. Those bright green eyes are burning like fire. "Admit what? Quinn, what is he talking about?!" Cora asked, confused and now looking uneasy. She stepped between the Vaporeon and me. Her one good eye locked onto me, a desperate expression written on her face, as if pleading with me to tell her Hydro was wrong. I heaved a sigh as I spoke, "It was me!" I finally admitted to her. I struggled to hold her gaze as she stared at me. Then a look of realization crossed her face, her eye widened before giving way to pain. "No...." she whispered, then her nose wrinkled and her single eye narrowed. "You! You told Pyro? About Solar and me?" I stumbled back as she yelled, fresh tears trailing down her cheek, her claws scraping against the rocks. "You promised me!" She exclaimed. "I trusted you!" she went on, then turned away from me to look at Hydro, her expression twisted with emotion as a sob escaped her muzzle. Hydro walked up to her, resting his crooked tail on her back, as if to soothe her pain. His green eyes landed on me. "It's all your fault, Quinn.... Give me a reason why I shouldn't kill you?" he said, his voice dripping with menace. I gasped in shock at the question, "w-what?!" He couldn't be serious. Sure, I messed up and maybe it's unforgivable. 'But did I deserve to die? I didn't do this on purpose. I never wanted this outcome.'

I backed up to give space to Cora and Hydro, but the Vaporeon's cold gaze followed me. "You heard me... You betrayed Cora, in a way you also betrayed me," he said, his fin ears pinned back as he stalked past Cora. My heart raced, and I could feel poison sweat dampening my black fur. "No!" I explained. "No, I never meant for any of this! I didn't know Pyro did any of that... Cora never told me." I tried to defend myself, yet there was a simple truth: I was never supposed to mention it to anyone. I had promised to keep quiet. Cora's body trembled, her claws flexing, and she bit her teeth together so hard I thought she'd crack a tooth. She spun around, electricity running through her spiky fur now, tears streaming down her face. "I don't owe you every detail! I told you to never tell anyone!... so why would you think to tell Pyro? My ex?" she wailed. I felt my heart stop at the sound of my sister's pain and the heavy weight of what I had done.

My ear twitched as I heard the distant rumble of thunder — a storm was coming. Cora glared at me, her one eye blurry with tears. "You clearly can't trust her... she killed Solar," Hydro muttered close to Cora, yet his burning green gaze never left me. "For all we know, she did it on purpose. You never did like Solar, did you, Quinn?" he growled. I dropped my jaw at his accusation. Cora, however, tilted her head up at him, and a shadow crossed her expression. "No! Cora, I didn't! Pyro tricked me. He made me believe Solar was going to tell him anyway!" I yelled. "I know I was foolish.... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." My voice cracked, giving way to grief and regret. Nothing I said could undo my stupid mistake. Cora glared at me, and it startled me. Lightning crashed across the sky, illuminating the night, the wind picked up, and dark clouds covered the moon. "Sorry?" Cora's voice was too soft for the intensity in her eyes. "Sorry? You think that can fix this? You're the reason she's gone." Hydro then started to circle around me, and his earlier threat flooded my mind. "I say we make sure she never gets the chance to tell a secret again." His voice was almost a purr. Was he wanting to kill me? I glanced at him, feeling sick — he looked bloodthirsty. The realization that my life was in danger hit me. I shot a frightened red gaze at my sister. "What?... No, Cora, don't listen to him. Can't you see what he's doing? I'm your sister! What would Rea think?"