One By One

One by One Chapter 21

Song of the chapter: Safe and Sound by The Civil Wars and Taylor Swift

Anna’s POV

“Austin shhhh, babe, calm down” I cooed gently and rubbed his back, after he’d slammed the house door, in a harsh manner of course. But I, myself, was having some trouble remaining calm.

I was pretty much only looking out for myself now, which was my only choice.

I couldn’t be distracted by a state of shock or depression, or that would be the predator to pounce on his pray: me. I didn’t want to ever give him the opportunity to get me, directly. Having him taking everyone I love taken from me ‘cause if this mental guy, was enough, and I couldn’t let him see my weakness, or things would get worse than they already were.

It seems selfish of me, I know, but it’s different when you’re actually in the situation, and your brain is on survival mode.

However, it’s still a lot to take in, seeing yet another person leave you. And it’s all your fault, because of a stupid mistake of letting your little sister walk home at 1 in the morning, when she is 2 streets away.

How can I have been so stupid? I mean, so we live in the safest neighbourhood in town. That doesn’t mean very much, as the night creeps can easily access our neighbourhood just the same. I mean, who sends out their 15 year old sister at that hour? Oh, wait. Idiots like me did.

And then I had to attempt to punch the guy in the face? He could have had a weapon! I covered my face with my hands and my lips trembled. I bit it as hard as I could, fighting tears.

Even though my hands covered my face, I felt Austin’s eyes on me, as I walked solemnly to the living room couch. I pull of my cheerleader sweater- which was now covered in real AND fake blood, and threw in next to me. Then I rolled up into a ball and cried.

“Austin, I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all this stuff ha-happening to us. I-it was a mistake, that night. I should have gone and picked her up, and none of this would have happened.” I stuttered and sobbed some more, not even taking my hands off my face.

Austin paced back and forth furiously, and growled. Then he threw the keys on the coffee table and yelled out.

I felt so ashamed. He had every right to hate me. As did Drew, and Kirsten, and Mum, and especially Ashley.

“I’m so stupid!” he muttered.

What? How was he stupid? What was he talking about? What did he do wrong? Nothing! He had nothing to do with this guy and his harassing and torturing us! It was my fault! I sat up quickly.

“Austin, what the hell! You didn’t do anything wrong; you’re not stupid! How are you stupid?” I sniffled.

I searched his eyes, waiting for a response. But instead he gave me this pained expression. What was going on? Why is he looking at me like that?

After a long moment of silence, he finally responded, saying something that left me absolutely shocked.

“I… can’t tell you” he mumbled and broke eye contact.

What the hell? What couldn’t he tell me? Why he was stupid?

“What do you mean? That doesn’t make any sense, Austin” I pointed out impatiently.

What was he saying? I looked at him once more, and he had tears in his eyes. What is going on?

“Austin what’s wrong?” I got up and held his arms. Now I was seriously concerned. “Austin, look at me, you need to tell me what’s bothering you. What do you mean? And why are you almost crying? You need to trust me.” I told him firmly.

He stood there for a moment, looking like he was considering it. But after a few seconds he answered. “I can’t…” he looked into my eyes, silently pleading me not to ask any more questions. “I really want to… but I can’t.” he looked down at his feet.

Now I was angry. Hurt. And confused. What can there possibly be in the world that he couldn’t tell me? Nothing! He’s been keeping something from me for a while now. I could feel it.

All those times he was unsure of himself, or looked uncomfortable when he was asked something, I’d shrugged it off, and assumed it wasn’t that important. But now I have a feeling that this was something big. For him not to be able to tell me whatever it was killed me inside.

“Austin, if there’s something I need to know and you’re not telling me it, you’d better tell me now” I warned. Now I’m slightly scared and really annoyed. I waited for a response, but got none.

“You have to tell me Austin! If it’s this important I need to know! What happened, Austin? Don’t you trust me? I’m your girlfriend!” I croaked.

How could he not tell me what was wrong? I thought we were stronger than this! We told each other everything, absolutely everything! He couldn’t trust me enough to tell me? I thought he loved me! I wiped my tears furiously. He was being stubborn!

“Anna… I can’t… You’d hate me forever.” He begged.

That felt like a stab in the heart. He honestly thought I’d run away screaming if he told me? I thought I meant everything to him, so much so that he could tell me everything, especially something this big. How couldn’t he trust me to be there for him, after all we’d been through together?

“I can’t believe you feel that way! You can’t even trust me enough to tell me what’s been bugging you so much for the past few months? You know I’d hate you more if you didn’t tell me! You know how I hate when people can’t be honest to me!” I whimpered.

I waited for a few moments, watching as a tear escaped his eyes. “Anna, don’t cry babe, pl-” he started, as he brought his hand to my face, trying to wipe my tears. But I quickly swatted it away.

“No Austin” I snapped shakily. I glared at his now blurry face.

“If you can’t trust me, then we’re finished. Just- just get out” I muttered harshly, pointing to the door.

He looked at me a final time, his eyes begging me to take it back. I didn’t.

“Anna…” I cut him off, not wanting to hear his excuses much longer. “Just leave” I whispered loudly, not looking him in the eyes. I knew I’d have trouble and want to take it back. This was what was best for me.

He sighed and walked out with his head down.

As soon as I heard the front door shut, I ran to my room, slamming and locking the door. Then, I cried.

*****

Jason’s POV

I sat at my table with my head in my hands. I did it, again. I’d killed another innocent person. Out of fear.

Seriously, was Anna worth all this? Yes I was doing this for her. She would understand eventually how much I hated my brother and that this needed to be done.

I needed him gone. Dead. Wait really? Did I want to kill him? YES! One part of me screamed. But the small, rational part of my rain told me I was insane, that he hadn’t really done anything to me.

“UGH!” I screamed in frustration. What do I do next? I’d come so far, all for my angel, and did I really want to stop now? I was starting to have second thoughts.

I needed to be with her. I deserved her! Not my brother!

The end of these games I’m playing is coming. It’s been several months now, and the police were closer than ever in finding me. If I wanted to ever finish what I started, it was now or never.

But one question lingered in my head. Should I go for the final kill?  Or not?

Two chapters or so ‘till the sequel. CHECK OUT MY OTHER STORY NEVER LETTING YOU GO for me plzzzzzz? And also check out my friend’s book Waiting for You and Can You Keep A Secret, both by JBLuver97. THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS!