The Wanderers

Chapter 25

There was an eerie stillness inside the dorms. Silence filled the long dark hallway as we made our way up the steps and down the hall to Tristan's room. The only sound was the echo of our footsteps as we crept across the tiles. I was glad Tristan and Billy were leading us; I believe if it wasn't for them we probably wouldn't had found our way in the pitch black darkness.

No one said a word until we were all safely inside Tristan's room. "Now what?" Josie asked. Billy took one look at her, smiled, and then picked her up throwing her over his shoulder. Josie squealed and giggled as he carried her out the door.

"Wait, where are you guys going?" I asked, chasing them out the door. "Guys, we should stick together," I said voice panicked, not wanting to be left alone with Tristan.

"Relax Ella, we'll be right down the hall," Josie said as they disappeared into the depths of the darkness. I sighed and turned around. I knew my only options were to wait out this nightmare with Tristan or sit in a room, alone, in the dark. I contemplated for a moment before I chose. I knew it didn't matter. Even if I chose the latter, Tristan would follow me. I accepted my fate and stepped back into the room.

"Ella?"

"Tristan, don't," I said, closing my eyes and trying to take a breath.

"Ella, you have to know I didn't want to leave you like that."

I closed the door not wanting to broadcast what I knew would be a fight. I inhaled deeply and turned around to face him. "Then why did you?" I spat, angrily. "Why did you leave me?"

"I thought it was for the best," he sighed. "I thought if we weren't together then he would come after me and not you."

"You have any idea what I've been through this past week? You left me...and I was alone, alone to deal with all of this." I clenched my hands into tight fist to keep them from shaking.

"I know and I'm sorry. I can't tell you how sorry I am. You have no idea how hard it was for me to leave you. I thought I could but I can't and that's why I came back." He was in front of me, cupping the sides of my face with his hands. "It was stupid Ella, I know that now. I love you and I don't ever want to be away from you."

I wanted to cry. I wanted to throw myself into his arms and tell him I forgave him, but I couldn't. He left, he chose to leave, and that hurt too much. I yanked his hands away and walked over to the other side of the room shaking my head. "No, it's not that easy. You can't just come back here and tell me you love me. You're nothing but a selfish asshole and I don't want anything to do with you!" I yelled furiously.

He was in front of me again in a flash, gripping my shoulders. I tried to pull away but he was too strong. "Ella, stop," he pleaded. I kept fighting him refusing to give up until he let go. "Ella! I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to," he growled, frustrated.

I stopped struggling and looked deep into his eyes when I said, "You already did." I bit my tongue to keep the tears at bay. He lowered his head and let me go, but I didn't move, I stayed right where I was. He raised his head just enough so I could see his eyes, see the sadness in them. I held perfectly still as I watched a single tear fall down his cheek.

"Tristan, I can't do this right now. I can't –"

He pulled back abruptly and groaned angrily. "Don't you get it? Everything I've done I've done for you!" he yelled, making me flinch. "I left because I thought it was the right thing to do. I thought I could protect you." His eyes turned dark and he turned away from me. He stood in front of the bathroom door and punched it over and over again until there was nothing left but splintered wood.