The Fear Of Falling Apart

-19-

Tanith's POV

If I had to describe the last week of my life in a single word, I think it would be 'overprotective.'

There's always someone by my side, making sure that I was safe. I basically never got to be alone.
I love my family, and I love that they care this much, but I have to draw the line somewhere. And that somewhere is my bedroom door.

I race up the stairs and dive into my room, slamming the door shut behind me and clicking the lock. I hear my persuer crash into the door and I bite back a smile.
"Tanith." He says in a whiney tone. "Tanith let me in. I'm here to protect you."

"Sorry Patrick. I draw the line here. I'm very protected though, I assure you." I smile, practically skipping over to my closet and taking out some plain clothes. This is the first time I've been alone in my room since Diane took me.
"Brendon's gonna kill me." He groans.

"You'll survive." I assure him, slipping on my favourite black jeans. "Go watch TV or something. I'm just gonna do some homework."

He doesnt say anything for a moment or two. "Just homework?"

"Just homework." I lie, changing my shirt and spraying some deodarent.

"Okay." He says cautiously. "I'll be just downstairs. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Sure thing 'Trick." I smile slyly, hearing his footsteps fade away. After I'm sure he's gone I walk slowly over to the window. It opens soundlessly, just as I expected.

Sneaking out was in no way difficult. I mean, I've never actually done it before, but it can't be that hard, right?
I shove my phone in my pocket and step out of my room and onto the roof. I wobble a little, but keep my balance. "You can do this." I whisper to myself, taking a small and shakey step towards the edge.

All at once I slip and fall, scraping my side on the tiles as I head over the edge. I do my best not to make any noise. If Patrick finds out what I'm doing I'm never going to be aloud to leave the house again. I barley manage to catch the gutter with my hand, but I somehow pull it off. I wince as I try to figure out what I'm going to do.

Eventually I decide to just drop down and hope for the best. By the time I finally do so, my hand aches from the preassure of holding my body weight for so long.

But as I run down the street and away from home, I realise it's worth it. I just want a night to myself for once.

Well, a night to myself and Fin. The adults won't let us do anything fun since I got back, and it's been a bit of a drag. But hey, you do what you have to.

I reach the cinima in record time, smiling as I jog up to my best friend.
"Hey Tan." She smiles.

"Hey." I grin, stopping beside her. "I love the skirt." I comment as we walk in, showing out tickets to the man at the door.
"Thanks." She blushes, leading me over to the snack bar.

We get our food and head into the cinima to watch the old horror film rerun.

As someone who grew up around Frank, Gerard, Mikey and Ray I have seen my fair share of horrow films. Fin, on the other hand, hasn't. So I decided to begin her education with a rerun of Scream.

---

"That was such a good movie!" She exclaims as we exit the building.

"Tatum's not very smart." I smile.

"She's not that stupid." Fin reasons as we walk down the street.

"She thought she'd actually fit through the cat door." I reason. "And she totally coulud have! I mean, she got her boobs through. She could have made it!"

Fin shoves me playfully, and I return the favour.

"Tanith!" Someone calls from behind me.
I recognise that voice.
I stop on the pavement, standing dead still. "Tan?" Fin asks, tugging on my arm. I don't move at all, praying that this is all in my head.

"Tanith." Her voice is closer this time.

I whirl around on the spot and glare at the oncoming woman. "What the fuck do you want?!" I spit, stepping back towards Fin. This can't be happening. She can't be here.

"Tanith, please. I just want to talk." Diane tries, stepping ever closer. But there's no way I'm falling for that one.

"Get the hell away from me!" I shriek, stumbling backwards and pulling Fin with me. I glance over to my best friend and see her wide eyes and gaping mouth.

"We have to go." I tell her. She nods numbly and then we take off  running.

"Tanith, just listen to me!" Diane calls, and I hear her footsteps coming closer.

My feet thud against the pavement heavily as I take in quick breaths. I glance across to Fin, who seems to be stumbling and gasping for breath.

I have to act fast. She might not be able to last long.

I make a sudden turn into an alleyway, hoping it will lead onto another street.

But it doesn't lead into another street.

Fin slumps against the back wall, drawing in ragged breaths and spluttering for air.

"Call Pete." I tell her, fumbling to grab my phone from my pocket. Fin responds with a nod as she grasps the device in shakes hands.

"Tanith." Diane says as she approaches.

I take a breath. I want to back away, but I have to protect Fin. If I don't protect her, who knows what will happen.

I stand my ground as the woman who stole me away approaches, my fists balled tightly at my side. "No." I tell her. "No, you took me already. You can't do it again!"

She shakes her head. "It was for your own good, dear. I just want to protect you-"

"Maybe I don't need protecting!" I shoot. "Maybe I can look after my damn self!"

Diane sighs sadly. "You can't protect yourself from these people. They know where you are, Tan. They're just waiting for the right moment to strike."

"So?!" I demand as she steps closer again. "I don't care what happens to me anymore, okay?"

"I don't give a fuck if I die." I tell, my saliva becoming sticky in my mouth. "I don't give a single fuck what happens anymore! My dad will live. And you'll live and Lucas will live."

She looks taken aback by my words. I don't even look at Fin. Oh god, Fin. She doesn't know what's going on.

"I've lived enough." I say carefully. "I've lived more then enough. This is just how it's going to happen."

She hakes her head angrily. "It doesn't have to be that way Tanith!" She exclaims. "I can save you!"

"And what about my family, huh?" I ask. "What happens to them when the killer shows up looking for me?!"

She doesn't get the chance to respond.

I hear the rapid footsteps and the shouts of my name and sigh in relief.

"Your making the wrong choice." Is the last thing Diane said to me before running out of the alleyway.

I stare at where she was for a moment before slumping against the wall in defeat.

"Tanith! Fin!" Someone calls.

"Here!" I call back numbly. "We're over here."

I don't like how this one turned out, but oh well. I hope it was alright.

Shoutout to my IRL friend who I just told about this series. If you ever get this far, I owe you a highfive.

<3 thanks for reading frens