Generation Freaks✔️

Chapter 24

Cliff didn't move, hesitant at the offer. He acted as if this were some kind of joke and Paisley wondered if it had been played on him before. It would explain his hesitance. She wondered just how many times exactly if so. She sat up straighter, picking up the bowl and paused, feeling the tingle of warmth seep into the tips of her fingers. She swung her hand around and outstretched her arm to him, making it evident she meant business. His eyebrows rose in surprise, lips parting but words didn't come out. They didn't seem to be able to come out. He made no move to take the food, though his eyes gleamed in that hunger.

"I mean it." Paisley urged again, pushing the bowl towards him once more. "Take it."

With a jerking movement, he rose his hand and clasped his fingers around the bowl. Instantly, Paisley retracted her own hand to make it apparent she meant no joked and dropped her hand to her side. Cliff retreated, almost stumbling as if pushed. He blinked a couple of times and then turned when realizing she wasn't going after him, and left her without a word, pressing the bowl to his chest as if it were sacred treasure. It was then she realized it had gone deadly silent during their exchange. All eyes were on her and followed Cliff as he joined them. They regrouped, crowding together to examine what had been given to them. Her stomach tingled, the old feeling of accomplishment fluttering through her. Slowly, she sat back onto the cot, her back to the group. She suddenly felt more alone than ever before. An emptiness was hollowed inside of her.

Paisley.

She closed her eyes, pretending to see images of doors opening inside of her mind, trying to let the voice inside of her.

Paisley.

It sounded closer, less of an echo inside of her mind. The tips of her fingers pressed together, keeping her from opening her eyes.

Paisley. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to leave you. You have to understand that.

Theo? His voice crackled, beginning to fade once again. Theo! Tears budded in the corners of her eyes.

Theo come back.

Silence. Had she imagined his vice? Was she that desperate to know he abandoned her? Probably. Most likely. Yes. Yes, she was desperate. She did want to know why, she was that desperate, but she was stuck. There was no way out.

The group shifted, all mumbling, whispering. No one looked at her now, there was nothing to gossip about with the kindness Paisley had shown. Still, she knew they weren't going to be his friends and it wasn't like she wanted that. she wanted out of here and getting attached would make that too hard. Her head tilted, looking up in time as the grip dispatched itself and flew downwards, plopping onto her cheek. Paisley didn't move, she didn't even flinch as the water drip slid down her cheek like a tear drop that had mysteriously oozed out of her eyes. The springs creaked as she rose to her feet, lifting a hand to wipe at the drip. Paisley moved to walk around the bed, making sure she didn't veer towards the group with their backs to her.

Except when she looked up, she was halted at six pairs of eyes staring at her, watching her movements almost suspiciously. She stood still, unrelenting as she stared back. She didn't blink, they didn't blink. She didn't move, they didn't move. It was a sudden staring war to see who could win, but the odds weren't in her favor one bit.

"You can't leave." Cliff broke the silence and blinked, becoming disqualified from the contest. "There's no way out."

Paisley didn't move, she didn't say a word. She was still in the contest and not willing to give in that easily. She wasn't surprised that it had been Cliff to break the silence. Again, the feeling of remembering him made her stomach squirm, making her feel uneasy. She drew in a sharp breath, her chest tight as she took in a breath. Her foot slid back, eyes pulling away from the group, instantly losing the contest. It was too painful to look at Cliff and she didn't even understand why. It made no sense, but she didn't want to dwell on it forever. She'd probably drive herself crazy if that's all she worried about.