Inferno

Chapter 11: Regrets (Part 1)

Hello! It is I, the person who rarely ever updates!

I do apologize, it's just really hard to find time anymore to update. And for those people who have been waiting for an update on my other story, I can honestly tell you I have no idea when that's going to happen. I'm in the middle of writing three stories and would like to finish them as soon as possible. Bare with me.

Enjoy this chapter! Lots of angst!
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My breath catches in my throat. Why is he here?

He's touching me suddenly, grabbing my shoulders in his hands and it scares me. It actually scares me because the last time he touched me he was trying to kill me.

I jump up away from the table and back up so fast I stumble over my feet. Tobias tenses up, looking like he's two seconds away from jumping up and doing something he shouldn't right here right now.

"Crystal, Crystal please listen to me," Al starts, reaching towards me. He looks terrible. His face is cut and bruised and I see the sadness in his eyes as he looks at me.

"I-I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, I just, I don't know what's wrong with me. Please, can you ever forgive me?"

I take another step back, crossing my arms in front of me protectively.He watches me hopelessly with his eyes.

I feel my tear ducts well up, threatening to show weakness. I shake my head slowly, not believing that he's actually trying to apologize for what he did.

"If you ever come close to me again, I will kill you."

"Crystal, I-"

My voice rises in volume as the emotion continues to overwhelm me. "You can just stay away from me. You are a coward." Tears start to run down my face.

Al just looks at me, hopelessly lost. Then, slowly, he starts nodding his head. He looks at me one last time before turning and walking out of the cafeteria.

I can't take this. I feel like everyone is watching me, waiting for me to break down. I can't hold that back. Tears are already running down my face. I feel my breathing get heavier as I look at the place where Al was last standing.

"Crystal." Tobias calls, but I can't take it. I can't handle anyone right now.

I run, right out of the cafeteria. I hear someone calling my name, but I ignore them and keep running.

I run on and down some halls. Left, right, left, left, right. I just keep running. When I finally stop, I have no idea where I am. It's some hallway, and it's dark and empty. That's all that matters.

I slide down the wall and curl up, hiding my face in my knees. I wrap my arms around myself and just cry.

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I stay there for what I believe is a good hour or two. My tears ran out after half an hour, but I was too exhausted to get up and move.

I hear steps come down the hallway in my direction. When they stop right in front of me do I pull myself up from the little cocoon I have created.

Tobias stands in front of me, his arms crossed but his expression troubled.

"Go away." I croak, my voice gross from not using it and crying so much.