Behind the Hollow Eyes (REWRITE IN PROGRESS)

Chapter 10

Ashlynn's P.O.V
Two days later

I went back to the hotel room, but I haven't seen Max since the day of the fight. So I should've just backed off. None of this would have happened if I just shut my mouth. I thought of it that he thought it was fun; I don't believe it. It doesn't sound like him; he can be kind when he isn't angry. Was it a coincidence that it happened to be Ashlie and her girlfriend? Wait, I didn't know she was gay? Bi? Doesn't matter. He was mad at her-furious I might add. Then I made him angry again, which triggered the tentacles. I get it now; I gotta find what makes him calm. I can fix him.

I have to pack up tomorrow to check out of the hotel. What will I do? Maybe I could call Ember. I sat on my bed. Thinking. As I thought. I slid down onto the hotel room floor. What if Max will never come back? I need him. I really like him; hell, I might even love him. I grabbed my knees and pulled them up to my chest. I laid my chin on my knees, and my eyes started to water. I buried my face in my legs and started crying.

"I'm sorry, Max," I whispered to myself.

I heard footsteps in my hotel room. I jumped up and wiped the tears that were streaming down my face. Then, I walk over to the kitchen.

"Hello?" There were two 100 dollar bills on the counter With a sticky note To Ashlynn. Love Max. That made me cry even more.

Why did I say that? I was so mad at him last night. I didn't think twice before saying that. I don't even know how to get home.

I walked back to my bed and cried myself to sleep.

I woke up to a sudden scream, a blood-curdling scream. I grabbed a kitchen knife and ran out to the hallway. It was empty. I dropped my hand to my side. I hear the cry again echoing through the stairwell. I sprint to the stairs, "hello?" I call out.

"Someone!" It came from the top.

"I'm coming!" I sprinted to the top. It was a young girl, my age, 17 maybe and a tall man in a tuxedo.

I wedge my way between them, "Max, this isn't you; this isn't who you are," I put my hand to his chest.

I look behind me, "go, it's okay," I say to the girl, and she runs to the nearest door. It slammed after her, and I jumped.

"Max, it's me, Ashlynn." I reach up to touch where his cheek would be, but he grabs it with his long, thin hands. My brain went fuzzy, like I couldn't think.

Kill yourself. It sounded like Max's voice in my head-but more profound, more demonic. Throw yourself down the stairs.

He doesn't directly kill people; he makes them kill each other or themselves. I fight back. It's tempting, but I'm strong. I hold back. Instead, I hug him.

"I don't care. I don't care about your curse. I don't care that you're manipulated into killing people. I love you. I'm in love with you."

A few minutes pass by, two strong arms wrap around me. A soft voice speaks, "I'm free." I look up. He's human.

My eyes snap open, and I sit up. I'm still in the hotel room. I was dreaming? It felt so real. Did that dream mean something? No, dreams don't mean anything, right?