Inferno

Chapter 14: Family You Hate, Family You Love

Alright well that's embarrassing. This chapter posted before I finished it lmao whoops. So, congrats to those of you who read it before it was done!

Took me longer than originally desired to write this, but I've already started the next chapter so I hope you enjoy!

P.S. If you were one of the lucky ones who read this before I edited it, please do not spoil my development plans I had written on the bottom. I usually put them there because I get ideas at random parts of the day and don't want to forget them. Thank you ❤️

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The shot rings out, quiet at first before it turns into a roar. The darkness slowly brightens until I can make out the image of a railing. I go to turn around to help my friends, but they're gone. In their place stands one lone figure.

"Al." I choke out.

He's not the warm Al I remember. He's the blue, cold handed one from The Pit. I stumble back until my spine hits the end of the railing.

He takes a step towards me, his mouth opening a little bit. His eyes are dull and lifeless. "Why, Crystal? Why didn't you help me? This is all your fault!"

I feel my lower lip tremble. "I... I'm so sorry, Al. I cared for you. I never wanted this to happen to you."

He suddenly stops being so lifeless. His hair turns a darker brown, shrinks in height, and his face molds into something that isn't his own.

"Hello, Stiff." Peter says as he takes menacing steps towards me.

I try to move, but find that I'm paralyzed with fear. Not again.

He puts a hand on my shoulder. His fingers tighten on the cloth of my shirt.

One side of his mouth curls up into a sneer. "Since it didn't work so well last time, let's try this again, whore."

A sob chokes in my throat. No. I won't let this happen. I don't need Eric and Tobias here to save me.

I pry his hand off my shoulder, relishing in the surprised look on his face. I twist his arm behind his back, finally gaining the upper hand.

"Slut."

I lose my grip as his voice once again permeates the air. Peter takes this chance to spin around and hit me on the face. I fall to the ground, holding my cheek in my hand.

"Stay calm."

I head Tobias's advice, calming my breathing once more. I need to get away from here. It's not real.

I'm at the chasm, right? What would my fear be here? It's not Peter, I'm not afraid of that little punk.

But Al...

I shudder. I can't. I won't.

The Chasm. The only way out of here.

Peter starts stalking toward me once again, and when he's almost to me I crawl past him and run for the edge.

Then I jump off into the deadly waves below.

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I awake with a gasp, lurching forward from my laid back position. I can still feel the Chasm water stuck in my lungs, cutting off my air circulation and choking me.

Two hands land on my shoulders, gently pulling my forward and against something soft. I take a deep breath of air, fighting back the tears that so desperately want to fall.