Forbidden

~Chapter Twenty-Four~

A/N: Welcome to Chapter Twenty-Four! :-) This lovely chapter is dedicated to Every1direction, a lovely fan fiction writer whose work I have fallen in love with. Romeo & Juliet, 1D style? I think yes! Her writing is brilliant, and I can't wait to see what happens next in "Stand Up For Me." :-) You should all check it out! It's fantastic! Plus, we're also creepily alike in many ways...

I hope you all enjoy this chapter! I'm hoping to get another update out today, but reality may step into the picture! :-) I basically only looked through for spell-checking and grammar errors, so I'm not quite sure how this chapter is. What do you think? Should I completely re-write it, fix a few parts, or is it okay as it is? Anyone?

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

***

~Chapter Twenty-Four ~

Arabella ran blindly into the bathroom, swinging the door shut behind her and easily ensuring that no one could come in after her. She leaned against the cool tile wall, letting the chill send rippling shivers throughout her body. She sank to the floor, wrapping her arms tighter around her torso.

            It felt as if there were a gaping hole in her abdomen, as if a knife had been stabbed through her, ripping her heart out of its rightful place. Arabella had never realized how hard it was for humans, having their hearts broken. From her world, she had watched as the poor soul fell into despair, their world darkening to hues of black and gray. She had witnessed the damage: the hurt affected people in different ways. Some cried endlessly, locking themselves in their room and ignoring their families’ pleas. Some drew into themselves, becoming silent, deaf and blind, seemingly dead in their own bodies.

            Arabella bit her knuckle, pulling her knees to her chest, to stifle another sob. Was that what she looked like now? A lost, agonized human, falling deeper and deeper into the abyss known only as depression? She sniffled, more images of those desperate mortals shooting to mind. Except she didn’t have a protector, a guardian, someone to look out for her. She had no one, for she was the guardian…and her “ward” had been the one to hurt her.

            The tears made salty tracks down her cheeks, making her pale skin appear nearly translucent, as she forced herself to picture River’s face. Another shock of agony electrified her body, a loud sob escaping her lips.

            His skin, nearly as pale as hers, with his dark hair a beautiful contrast in color. His light blue eyes, glowing with warmth and kindness. His perfectly shaped, light pink lips, like a puffy cloud on a summer’s day. His soft, childlike features, emanating a sense of innocence and, yet, intelligence. The way his lips broke into a warm grin, lighting up a room as easily as the sun. His voice echoed through her thoughts: reassuring, light, and warm.

            Her body convulsed as the tears ran faster down her cheeks. She bit down harder on the knuckle, though she never broke the skin. Choked, staccato sounds escaped from her throat: the only sign that someone was in the bathroom.

            The searing pain shot through Arabella’s ankle, creating the sensation of her bone breaking. Unable to stop it, she cried out, fresh tears pricking her eyes. She pushed River out of her mind, knowing that the sooner she did so, the sooner Griffin’s wound would cease.

            She crossed her legs, wincing as the ankle smacked against the tile, sending a fresh wave of pain through it. Try to think, Bella, she reminded herself. Think of something important.

            Suddenly, out of the blue, the realization hit her. Arabella’s eyes widened in horror as she considered the new angle. If River would willingly kiss Meaghan—she gulped, her lips quavering again—then what did that mean for her side? Furthermore, what did that mean for Them? Did they truly have the advantage this time? Had River and Layla actually crossed over to the dark side?