Tale of the Prophet Bearer: The Dark Queen's Reign

Chapter 28: Are you serious?

I stare at Cameron's door, listening to his voice whisper shakily. For as long as I have been standing here, I haven't been able to hear what he's saying. I reach for the handle, but my hand hesitates and I pull it back. What if he wants privacy? He might need a few days to himself. I could go downstairs with Tucker and watch a movie. I've been in my room for the past few days and I should go socialize with somebody.

I turn around, but pause sighing. I ball my fist and knock on his door. "Cameron?"

What am I thinking? What am I going to say when I go in there? I've never dealt with anything like this before! Am I just supposed to sit there and listen, or try to cheer him up? I'm going to make a total idiot out of myself.

When he doesn't answer, I open the door. Cameron sits in a chair facing another chair. With his knees pulled up to his chest, he hides his face under his hoodie.

I step inside, swallowing hard. "Are you okay?" I mentally kick myself. Of course, he's not okay. He lost a friend and it's your fault, stupid.

Cameron's pink, puffy eyes meet mine. He shakes his head before hiding it again. "I didn't tell Abby," He admits shakily.

I wince, knowing I'm in a heap of trouble. "Tell her what?"

"I had a crush on her and hinted about it when the feeling didn't pass, but... I couldn't get the words out." He doesn't look up. "Even when she was dying I was too scared of what she would think." He hugs his knees closer. "I'm a coward."

I shake my head and sit in the other chair. Maybe I should stay standing... I squirm, feeling like my every move is wrong. Why is everything I'm doing so awkward? "No, you're not."

"Then why was I so scared?" He pulls his hoodie over his head to hide more. "Everything would be okay if I had told her."

"No, Cameron, it wouldn't. Even if you did, she would still be gone. I still would have—" My voice cracks and I clear my throat. Come on Christina, pull yourself together... "Reil still would have thrown the dagger."

The door slams open. "Christinaaaaa," Tucker says quickly. "Cody needs you in the lab because—" he stops and looks at Cameron. Then at me. Then back at Cameron. "Oh dear..."

I turn in my chair, flaring my nostrils to add emphasis of the anger in my glare. "Get out," I growl through gritted teeth.

Tucker starts to protest, but a stern look makes him turn and run from the room.

"I could have done something to save her," Cameron mumbles and wipes his eyes dry of tears.

I scoot the chair closer and hug him. I try to think of something to say. Anything that might soon his pain. But what can I say to somebody grieving for a friend when I murdered her?

"Why did she have to leave?" Cameron whispers, his shoulders trembling.

The door slams open again. "Okay Christina, Cody said really, really needs to see you," Tucker says, stomping his foot. "Like seriously—"

Anger rushes through me and my heart skips a beat."Spit it out!" I snap, turning to Tucker. My mouth works as quickly as my anger pulses and I know I could say a number of mean things, but I don't care. "What does he want?!"

"Cody needs you in the lab."

"What for?"

Tucker shakes his head, glancing at Cameron with a hint of hesitation. "Can't say."

"Why not?"

"For corn's sake, just get down there!" Tucker throws his hands in the air and marches downstairs. "Don't shoot the messenger, alright?!"