Madness (Completed)

Inner Thoughts

Shane takes me home and carefully takes me up the stairs. His hand never leaves my waist, probably because not all my wounds are healed and my balance isn't the best in this pregnancy. I take another step up the stairs with Shane and I feel my foot slip on the step and I feel my body fall. However, Shane still holds me while I can regain my balance. His hand on my hip is enough so that I don't fall down all the steps I had just gone up.
"Thanks..." I say, glancing up at him with a slight smile.
"Are you ready to keep going?" Shane questions, ignoring my thanks entirely. I nod lightly and we continue walking up until we reach the top floor. Shane then leads me to my room where he opens the door and holds it for me. He takes me to my bed and sets me down there where he finally takes his hand away from me, replacing it so it hangs by his side.
"Why did you want me home?" I question, leaning against the wall next to my bed.
"I wanted to keep an eye on you just in case Carter decides to come around here and look for you... But I guess I was too late on that one. However, there are a lot of people who have been mailing my office threats lately. People want you dead, most are jealous, but I'm careful either way. Being careful is how I've been around for so long, and I plan on keeping you around too." Shane declares in a slightly dark tone that he doesn't use often. His normally bright eyes now stare at me intently with a fear that Shane has hidden well from everyone else.
"You've gotten death threats for me, just because people are jealous?" I question, trying to pinpoint his fear and find out his reasons. After all, more now than ever have I realized that Shane has secrets that people don't know about, but I want to know them all.
"Certainly, people in other districts haven't seen you, but they've seen me. And girls get jealous when they see that I'm taken, especially when they find out that you used to be outside and you're not a woman of power." He explains, crossing his arms in annoyance.
"So, you're saying that I don't have power in their eyes?" I ask, shaking my head and letting out an annoyed laugh.
"You do have power, you know it. The public just doesn't realize that, especially in other districts." Shane states, releasing a heavy sigh.
"How do I show them then? I won't be looked at like I'm some weak girl." I tell him sternly. My eyes still search for some type of reason in his eyes, but don't find any. Damn, he's pretty good at hiding himself from people, although, his job requires it.
"You're not a weak girl. You're a strong, independent woman and I know that. It doesn't matter what everyone else thinks, because we both know it isn't true." Shane responds in a bit more of a fragile tone of voice. I roll my eyes, he doesn't get it.
"Fine..." I grumble under my breath and put my hands up slightly in a kind of surrender.
"I'm going back to the office, I still have a lot of work today. I'll be back later, just stay home and only answer the door for people we know. Also, I have a new assistant and I have instructed her to state her name before she knocks." Shane says as he slowly starts towards the door.
"Oh, why a new one? I thought that Amelia did a good job for you." I comment, I suppose just because I want to know more secrets.
"She resigned actually..." Shane says, trailing off into his thoughts and the same fear appearing in his eyes. He then snaps out of it and takes in a breath. "Her name is Elise and she has blonde, almost white hair. I'll see you later, and if you want to see your friends, have them come here."Shane adds before he leaves the room and closes the door behind him like always.

~*Shanes POV*~

I close the door carefully before I decide to retreat to my room for a moment before I leave. I walk inside my black, carpeted room and sit on the edge of my bed. Words from earlier today echo in my head, and I can't help but wonder, did I do the right thing? I mean, I just banished my brother, my only family left, to the outside world. I forced him to live in the wilderness with death always looming behind him. Sure, my brother and I have had differences, all brothers do. But did I really need to go that far? I rub my eyes with the palms of my hands trying to hold back tears. I can't go crying all the time if I'm going to lead, it's always been that way. I have to act all strong in front of people, no one will look up to someone who cries all the time. I won't look weak, not when everyone is here to see me. I feel a tear escape my eye and I quickly wipe it away, no, not now. Another I one threatens to fall, but I wipe it before it can. I will not be weak, not now, not ever. I am strong and I always will be, this one action against my brother will not break that. I won't let it.

~*Violets POV*~

I slowly make my way out of my room and creep down the stairs. There is a com to all households in the main kitchen. I can just turn the knob until it is transition is set on my house, which is number 23. I take small, quiet steps towards the kitchen and around the corner until I hear the faint sound of sobbing from upstairs which stops me in my tracks. No, it can't be... Shane? I walk back around the corner and make my way up the stairs again until I stand outside his room. The sobs are faint, almost ghostly in my ears. I raise my hand and knock on the door,
"Shane? Are you okay?" I call to him through the door. A large sniffle can be heard and then the door opens and Shane stands in the doorway. His eyes have a red tint and he takes in deep breathes almost constantly.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I question, slowly taking steps towards him.
"I'm fine, I'll be back at the office soon enough, don't worry about it." Shane says. I shake my head, he's not just going to brush this off, not this me. I walk so I only stand inches away from him and I grab his hands.
"Tell me." I demand staring into his eyes firmly.
"I won't bother you with my problems..." Shane says, slowly backing away from me and releasing himself from my grip.
"Yes, you will. I've had tons of problems that you've delt with for me. So, tell me, I want to help and actually be a friend to you. Even if I can't be a true lover for you, I want us to be friends and for us to connect. So, connect with me and tell me what's wrong." I say with a small sigh escaping my mouth. Shane gives me an annoyed look and then takes in a deep breath.