Lost

Chapter 81: "A Glimpse Inside My Head"

*TRIGGER WARNING*: Suicide themes

Quick question: Do you believe Salma is a strong person? (It'd be great if you give reasons)

Vote and Comment as you read.

"He can go to any lengths, once he gets obsessed with something," Will's warning echoed in her head. "And by any lengths, I mean it literally, he'd do anything! Put nothing past him."

A shiver raked her spine, shaking her to her very soul. She needed to get away from.

"Bee?"

Salma snapped out of her trance and rushed past him.

"Hey!" Zayn called, hurrying after her. "Bee wait!"

Salma yanked her arm when she felt his fingers wrapping around her elbow.

"Don't - don' touch me!" she said, her voice hoarse and shaky.

Zayn seemed taken aback by the sudden shift in her. She pulled her coat closer around her, clenching her fists to stop her fingers from shaking.

"Bee, it's just graffiti, why are you --"

"I don't want to talk about it," Salma barely whispered.

"Why, because I told you I liked you?

Salma stayed quiet, feeling her gut clench with unease. Zayn removed his beanie, running a frustrated hand through his hair before putting it back. Both his hands had paint on them, and it was not hard to tell that it were the exact shades he had used on the wall.

"Is there a chance though?" he asked, sounding agitated.

"What?"

"Do I stand a chance," Zayn asked, looking her in the eye, "with you?"

Salma's stomach churned with anxiety, making her curl her toes in her shoes. She felt like she would throw up any minute.

"I don't want to talk about this." Shelooked away, her skin crawled.

"Why not? Why can't I Io-"

"Don't, just don't!

"So a guy can't like you?"

"I said stop it!"

"You're reacting like a small child! Why does the idea of being loved scare you so much?"

"I don't care what you think!" Salma snapped, fighting back tears. "I just don't want to talk about this! I don't want you around me. I don't want to hear from you. I don't trust you! End of story!"

She could see a muscle in Zayn's jaw tick. He narrowed his eyes, clearly offended.

"Why don't you pick a narrative and stick to it!" he said viciously. "This is not what you were saying ten minutes ago!"

As her panic level rose, so did her frustration.

"You said we were chased by criminals, Harris, cold-blooded murderers. Between you and them I said I trusted you and you question it? Are you as bad as them?"

"For you," Zayn said through gritted teeth. "I might as well be!"

Salma scoffed, blinking back tears. Why the hell was she just seconds away from crying again?!

"Then why does it surprise you that I don't want you around me?"

"And why does it surprise you that I won't let you go?" Zayn countered.

Salma's eyes flashed in anger. He all but confirmed the fact that there was no 'them'. He was them!

"You do what you want, I'll do everything to protect myself!"