The Dreamworld

Chapter 17.0-You've Got a Friend in Me

"Granger, if you don't stop-" Ashlyn began. She could no longer see the city, the hills blocked their view isolating them from the sight of watching eyes. Granger finally turned, his eyes dull and lifeless as he slowly blinked, staring at Ashlyn.

"Don't worry, its ok."

Ashlyn gulped at the tone of his voice. He was defeated, ready to give up on it all. He didn't even have the energy to put forth any emotion. He continued walking, not waiting for Ashlyn to respond.

"It's not ok, Granger! What you plan on doing isn't ok one bit!" Ashlyn continued rushing after him, waving her hands in frustration.

"She's dead. I killed her."

"You did no such thing. It was an unfortunate accident."

Granger paused, turning to face Ashlyn. "Everybody agrees. It was my fault. Everyone's misfortune is always my fault. I'm nothing but a poison."

She engulfed Granger in a hug, the two of them stumbling on their feet. Granger tried to shove himself from her grip, but she only clenched him tighter. "You stupid fucking Tinman!"

Ashlyn bunched up Granger's shirt in her fists as she shook her head. Granger blinked as he watched her. She was sobbing and pounding his chest trying to get a reaction from him. Not even a comeback or snarky insult. His eyes were void of all life, his mind long since checked out from this world.

"Those people were the poison! They had no business raising a kid! Your grandmother should never have gotten custody of you!"

"She was the only family willing to take me." Another monotonous reply. He was completely unfazed by Ashlyn's screams.

"She tormented you, just like her own son!" Ashlyn shuttered as images of the scars on Granger's back and his past flashed back in her mind.

"You aren't alone, Clay cares for you, Kailee cares for you, even Calian does in his own twisted way!" She hit his chest as she said each name with trembling fists. She swallowed back another sob, locking eyes with him. "I care for you!"

Granger's eyes finally showed some emotion. His eyebrows rose briefly in surprise before his face faded to indifference once more. Ashlyn continued pounding her fists against his chest as she sobbed into his chest. She just wanted a snarky response or reaction. She didn't like this side of Granger. Not one bit.

"Please let go of me."

"Never!"

Granger tried freeing himself, but Ashlyn's grip was relentless. He tripped over a rock sending the two of them falling into the grass.

"You can't stay like this forever," Granger said, spitting Ashlyn's dangling hair from his mouth.

"Try me." Ashlyn's whole body was trembling. She was furious he didn't care. Furious he didn't show emotion. Furious he was ready to give up. She was furious with every single thing about him. But, she still wanted to save him. She was willing to do anything to save him.

Granger sighed and let her continue to sob, turning his head from her gaze, letting the grass tickle his cheeks as Ashlyn laid on top of him. "Why won't you show emotion?"

"I don't care." His voice was barely audible with his face turned away from Ashlyn's relentless tear-filled gaze.

Ashlyn continued pounding his chest in anger. "You do care! Don't lie!"

Granger whipped his head back to face her, his voice finally rising in anger. "Why should I care? Why should any of us care?"

"Because we're human!" Ashlyn slammed both of her hands down on either side of Granger, leaning forward to force him to gaze into her eyes.

Granger struggled to sit up, causing Ashlyn to fall back. His whole face had grown sinister, a chilling chuckle radiating from his throat as his grey eyes glared into Ashlyn's own. "No, we're all just monsters."

There was no getting through to him. Ashlyn stood up, turning her back as she wiped back her own sobs. "Fine, if we're all just monsters, do what you want. There's no getting through to you. You're too damn stubborn."

She walked away, storming in the direction of the city. She made it three steps before he acted. How tight he grabbed her wrist was going to leave bruises, but she didn't care. She was relieved to see the spark of life return in his eyes. He wasn't done fighting. She found something for him to fight for.

Granger ended up slamming his lips against hers once more. Ashlyn didn't protest, opening her mouth and welcoming her tongue against his. She could taste salt, their tears mixed together as he pulled her closer. She lost track of how long they stood like this but eventually, they both needed air. Both panting as they stared into each other's eyes. Granger rested his palm against her cheek, cupping it in his hand as his thumb wiped a stray tear on her face. His free hand had found hers, fingers intertwined as they stood in the grassy field.

"This isn't what I meant," Ashlyn said.

"I thought you didn't care what I did."

Ashlyn shook her head, fighting back a small smile. She was happy that she could finally get through his thick skull.

"I had to do something to stop you from going back to the city," he whispered.

Ashlyn nodded as she let him pull her closer into a hug. Granger finally broke down in tears, sobbing as he fell to his knees, dragging Ashlyn with him. She didn't protest, letting him sob into her chest, gently rubbing circles in his back for support. This was what he needed, a shoulder to cry on and that's who she was going to be. She was his shoulder. 

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This chapter was probably one of the more intense one I've written for this book and hopefully, Granger's despair is portrayed adequately here. Feel free to share your thoughts on what you thought of this chapter and continue reading for the second half!