Cloak, Torn: Book 2 [ON HOLD]

Chapter 27

"Warren!" I screamed as I ran through the castle. "Warren, where are you?"

The halls blurred into white globs, statues distorted by tears.

"Warren!"

I couldn't find him. I couldn't remember where I'd left my things. I didn't have my cloak, I couldn't find my friend, and the whole world was crumbling under my feet. My breathing was catching in my throat. I heaved it in faster and faster, putting on speed, trying to get away from that room. I had to get away. I couldn't get away. There was no where I could run where her ghost wouldn't follow me, where the guilt wouldn't rip me apart, where I could ignore all the things I should have done, all the things I never told her, every time I let her down, every time I scared her. Every inch of my body felt like it was exploding. There were monsters in my head, ripping me to shreds.

It's your fault, it's your fault, it's your fault! You've never measured up. You let them down. Terrible excuse for a daughter. Do you even try? How could they be proud of you? They never want to see you again. You killed her. You killed your own mother!

I stumbled. My feet slipped out from under me and I fell. My arms smacked the floor, and a wave of fresh pain washed through me.

"No!" I gasped. "No, no, I didn't. You're lying. You're lying! It wasn't my fault- I didn't mean to. I didn't know! I- I didn't-,"

Of course you knew! You knew all along it was bad. Why would they send you if it wasn't? They trusted you. They trusted you to get help and you betrayed them. Traitor!

"I thought it was right. I thought- I thought-,"

No you didn't. Why else would you be here? You didn't think. You never THINK. You rush into everything with your little delusions of grandeur and think you're going to be a hero. Some hero. Heroes don't kill their parents. Your own father hates you. He HATES you. He can't stand the sight of you.

"No," I whimpered. I clutched my head. "No, no, he doesn't."

He does.

I trembled on the floor, sobbing. I had no comeback. He hated me. I knew he did. He hated me. He never wanted to see me again. And how could I face him? I couldn't stay here. I had to run. I had to keep running.

But I just lay there, on the floor.

Mother was gone.

Dead.

How?

How could I have let this happen?

"Scarlet."

I cut off my sob, quieted my breathing.

"Go away," I choked out.

There was a rustle of fabric and a hand on my shoulder.

I wanted to hit it away, but I could hardly move.

"Jayla killed my mother too," Warren whispered.

"But it wasn't Jayla's fault. Mother- she- she died because of me."

"Maybe," Warren said.

"I- I can't stay here. I have to leave. My father..."

"I can't either, Warren said. "I have to get my brother back. I have to avenge my parents. I'm going after Jayla."

I let out a long breath.

"Jayla."

"Yes."

"It's her fault," I rasped. "It's her fault."