Turn Away | c.h

Chapter 59 - Only Angel

early update bc I kinda like this chapter!

also I miss y'all commenting on my chapters, I love knowing what you guys think of it so far so never hold back lmao

love y'all !

The water ran down my face, dripping from my lips as I slowly opened my eyes.

No amount of water could wash away the guilt and sadness I felt. If anything, it enhanced it. I couldn't stop my thoughts from running straight back to the image of her lifeless body. It's like every time I closed my eyes, I could vividly see my hands clasped tightly around her neck as her eyes rolled into the back of her head. I could hear her last breath, and how a hollow feeling spread throughout me the second I let go. But at the same time, I knew that I was saving her and a part of me would never be able to forgive myself for killing her. I lost a part of myself in that moment, my heart died with Stella.

The one person that i've ever fell completely in love with, and I ruined her. She broke down before my very eyes and I almost let it completely destroy her. God, I'm a fucking monster for letting this ever happen. I trusted myself when it came to protecting her, I made a vow to myself to protect her from any inch of harm, and to destroy whatever had the potential to hurt her. And now, whilst I was caught in my own whirlwind of problems, I let her get hurt.

She laid lifeless and alone in the room beside me, solely because I did not have the ability to protect her anymore. This was all my fault.

I ran my hand over my head, pushing back the water as I slowly turned around. The hot steam ran down my bare body, the entire bathroom foggy from the length of time I'd been in here. I slowly reached out, twisting the taps until the water stopped. I grabbed my towel, wrapping it around my waist and folding it into the side.

Slowly, I moved out of the shower block and stood in front of the foggy mirror. I wiped my hand across it, finally seeing my torn up reflection. I looked absolutely wrecked. I had heavy eye bags and my skin seemed to be paler than usual, making me look gaunt. I had to turn away, because there was no use in trying to make sense of everything. Especially not when it came to how I looked.

I pushed open the door, holding the towel as I moved out of the bathroom and down the hallway.

My clothes were in mine and Stella's room. I knew she was in bed, and maybe even Anne Marie, too. I dreaded the thought of walking into the room. I spent the past hour avoiding entering purely because the amount of guilt I felt, but I knew it was time. Plus I couldn't comfortably lounge around half naked with everything that was going on inside my mind, I had to see her and decipher what was going on before I could even consider unwinding.

I slowly pushed open the door, feeling my heart rate quicken as I entered. Instantly, I noticed Stella in bed, the blankets concealing her pale body. The sight of her was almost enough to bring me to tears, and I couldn't handle it. I looked away from her, moving to my clothes that sat in the cupboard. I pulled out my undies, tugging them on before slipping in to my sweat pants. Just as I went to leave the room, I was stopped.

My entire body froze the second I heard a limp groan of discomfort fall from Stella's lips. I turned myself around, staring at her.
A twisted kind of joy spread throughout me as I heard the noise. Because it meant she was alive. Or, somewhat alive at least.

It meant she wasn't dead. She came back to me.

I moved over to her on the bed, instantly spotting a note sitting on the bedside table. I picked it up.

Calum,
Stella is stable and comfortable.
You saved her life in more ways than one.
Please rest and take care, for you will have to look after her for the next week before the second phase of her transformation.
Sleep, if you can and feed before she wakes up.
Please, let her forget about last night, and forget about me. We'd both be better people if she thought I was still gone.
I wish you two all the very best, enjoy eternity together.
Anne Marie. x