Fallen Demon

Chapter 14: Diana

Diana

I kept my head buried in my knees as I rocked myself back and forth. The infirmary felt cold. It was like the remnants of the water were trying to cling to me. I should have never fallen into those waters. It was all Lavana's fault. It wasn't long before I heard Aria and Darren walk into the room.

"She's calmed down since I found her but she's been like this," Aria's voice was filled with worry but I kept my head down.

"Thank you, Aria. I'll try talking to her," Darren's voice sympathetic as he stepped closer to me.

My wings curled around me defensively at the sounds of his footsteps. A small part of me grinned. He wasn't interested in me. He just wanted to hear the story. Darren was making everything just so easy.

"Diana," I jumped at his soft touch. I didn't raise my head, "Tell me what happened."

I kept myself from rolling my eyes at his demand. Didn't he know how to ask? I stopped my rocking and carefully met his eyes. I stared at him and let him take me in. From the tears that had left my face red and puffy, to my still trembling lips, I let him take in the sorrow and pain.

Act the part to get the role.

"Diana! Oh my dear!" he was quick to wrap his arms around me. I flinched when his fingers brushed up against my wings. I was hesitant and kept in my disgust as I carefully hugged him back. He pulled away to scan my face once more, "Tell me everything!"

I didn't say anything at first. I need this to be perfect. I need them on my side. I let my eyes well up as I struggled to say the right words.

"S-she," I let fresh tears start pooling in my eyes, "I-I died."

"Tell me what you saw."

I bit my bottom lip. I needed to keep my emotions together. I couldn't snap at him or yell at his demanding self to back the hell off. I could feel my face want to twitch in frustration.

"S-she killed me. I just wanted t-to break up," I was lying through my sobs, "S-she..."

"It's alright Diana," He cupped my face so I was forced to look at him, "You can tell me."

"She threw me off a cliff," His face was masked with a calm that sent chills down my spine. "I-I was thrown into the river. I wanted to leave... I wanted to break up! I wanted to get away from her! But she just kept grabbing me and saying we could fix it, saying we love each other. And when I said no she killed me!"

"Was it quick? Your death that is," I bit down on my tongue from the question I found rather rude to even ask but I answered regardless.

"I was lucky. It was instant."

His hands dropped from my face and he pulled away.

"Disgusting."

"S-she said we could fix it... I never thought... I just never..."

"Lavana is disgusting. She's a horrid demon. To have killed your innocent soul... It's disgusting to think of how close she was near me... near us..."

He distanced himself from me as he rose off the bed. The hate was clear in his eyes as he turned away from me.

"If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask Aria or me," He has fallen into my trap due to his own selfish need to know, "Make sure to get rest, Diana."

Darren slipped past the white curtains separating me from the rest of the world. I let my head fall into my knees again and let my wings circle around me as an extra barrier as a sinister grin spread across my face. He'd fallen straight into my hands. There was no doubt in my mind of what he planned to do next.

Darren had always had a loose mouth and enjoyed telling others about anything and everything. It wouldn't be long before the others knew what happened to their new innocent angel, one who died out of the dark emotions of a lover she tried to leave, one who was attacked by a vicious demon in the arena. Darren would tell everyone that Lavana killed me in the effort to keep me all to herself. He'd spread the word on how terrible she was.

It wouldn't be too hard to believe after the aftermath from the arena. Enough Angels had seen her actions that every word Darren spread would be considered truth.

"Um... Diana," I heard the curtain move on the rod as soft footsteps approached me, "I'm so sorry to barge in."

I covered my face with the sad emotions I had given Darren before pulling back my wings and raising my head.

"I'm sorry I won't pry into what you saw. I know it can be difficult reliving how you died..." Her words trailed off as she shuffled uncomfortably on her feet. I waited patiently for her to continue, "I-I just wanted to make sure you were doing alright..."

Aria was nibbling on her lower lip in slight embarrassment.

"I'll be okay," I smiled softly at her as she continued to fidget around, "Maybe not today but I will be."

She raised her head to look at me. There was a brightness in her eyes that left me speechless.

"I'm glad to hear that. If you need anything at all, even you just want some company, I'm here."

Aria turned to leave but something in me reached out to stop her. My hand gripped the soft fabrics of her dress. I could feel the embarrassment on my face as she stopped to stare at my hand.

"I-I... Would you mind staying with me for a while longer?"

Her face was soft as she smiled at me.

"I wouldn't mind that at all."