Silence » a.i

3.4

**just a quick note before you read: i had no idea how the hell to write this. i knew what i wanted to happen but didn't know how to write it so sorry if it sucks

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"Normally, I'd tell you that you're wrong and you do love him," Luke whispered to me as he stared intently into my eyes, "but considering our situation, I'm going to let you believe what you want until we get out of here."

"If." I corrected.

"Shut the hell up, Cooper," Michael hissed. "We're busting you out even if it kills us."

Calum stared at Michael disgustedly, "Was that a pun?"

"Now isn't the time!" Jeremy shouted quietly. "What are we going to do? I can't kill my own sister!"

Michael shook his head, "There's no way in hell I'm killing Cooper."

"She's my best friend!" Luke exclaimed, hugging me closer.

I heard quiet sniffles from behind me. I turned to see Calum rubbing his eyes, "Cal? Are you okay?"

"I should've told you guys," he sobbed. "I should've told you when Ashton confessed. Hell, I should've said something before then."

"What?" Luke wondered.

He looked at us with puffy eyes, "When Mali and Ashton were dating, she wasn't the witch she is now. She wasn't as smart and powerful. She got that way because Ashton let her experiment some things on him. They were always harmless mostly, but there was one thing just really fucked him up and if I told you guys from the beginning-"

"I understand this is emotional for you, Hood, but please get to the point." Michael sighed.

Calum ran his hands through his hair, "Mali-"

"It's time!" Mali sang from the doorway. She strutted into the room and looked pleased to see everyone was awake. "Well, good morning to you four. Well, it's night, but same difference. Bridgette, are you ready to see your boyfriend again?"

"He's not my boyfriend." I grumbled.

"Of course he's not." she cooed. She looked at Calum and jerked her head behind her. Calum stood quickly and vanished out of the room.

"I'm assuming Calum and Mikey filled you all in." she smiled.

"Cut with the innocent act, Mali," Luke growled. I'd never seen him mad before. Frustrated, but never truly angry. "You're a sick, twisted, killer!"

"No, that's your best friend." she retorted in a light tone before turning to see Calum had entered with Ashton.

I hadn't seen Ashton in a month, but he already looked so different. His eyes were dark and looked sunken in. His eyes were red and puffy like he'd been crying constantly. It was as if he wasn't even a human anymore. He was how I imagined a ghost to look. Once he saw me, his eyes lightened a little, but not by much. His hands were tied behind his back as Calum led him to a chair in the center of the room and sat him down.

"Mali, I don't even love him anymore," I insisted and saw Ashton's shoulder's slump from the corner of my eye. "I don't understand why you're doing this."

"Doing what?" Ashton piped up in a broken voice.

Michael's, Luke's, Jeremy's, and Calum's eyes all darted to Ashton in surprise. It was Luke to mutter, "He hasn't said anything in a month."

Mali just rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything about that. She answered my question instead, "Because he can't love anyone else."

"What?" Ashton questioned.