Stolen Paradise

Intro

A/N: It's my birthday so I'm dropping this chapter/intro earlier. No update schedule on this fic yet because I'm still writing it and I don't write chapters in order! Val's face cast is Naya Rivera. Hope y'all like it. Let me know what you think <3 

The biggest of thank yous to thegirlwhowritesfanfic, chaosinourbones, and thats-so-rhyan. They have been betaing this fic for me and are the loveliest of the loveliest. 

"I wonder how am I still here
And I don't want to move a thing
It might change my memory"
Here With Me - Dido

I crept along the hallway, the flickering of the lights irritating me. I wiped the back of my hand along my forehead, cringing as I remembered the dried blood there. I breathed in, mixing in the smell of smoke and dust, suppressing the urge to cough. I reached our apartment door, seeing that the door was hanging on the hinges. I swallowed, praying that Los Lobos had gotten all they needed from here. I scanned the hallway one last time before slipping into the apartment, careful not to disturb the door.

The lights were dim, but the damage was obvious. I let out a small gasp at the state they left our place in. All the cupboard doors were opened. There were broken glasses and tableware strewn about. I chewed on the inside of my cheek. How had I been so blind? I tiptoed through the kitchen and down the hallway. Our living room matched the kitchen. Records were smashed to pieces. Our TV was thrown across the room; our couch had rips spanning the size of the cushions throughout.

I licked my lips and pressed on. I couldn't linger. This wasn't a social call. I needed to get in, get my stuff and get out. All before Los Lobos caught on to my trail. I pushed on, reaching our bedroom and went for the closet. I grabbed the only bag I could find and began shoving anything and everything I could find into it. I sped through the entire room, making sure to stop in the adjoining bathroom. I kept all my focus on the task at hand. There was no time to be sidetracked.

I straddled the bag in order to properly zip it closed. Once I'd managed to secure the overflowing bag, I took a moment to breath. I glanced up finding myself face to face with a picture frame. One with a snapshot of the two of us. All my composure failed in that second. A burst of anguish fell from my lips and I screamed hysterically. I swiped at the frame and everything else on the top of the dresser. I screamed as all the contents went flying and crashing into the wall.

I continued to grab random items and whip them at the floor or the wall. I yelled, and I hollered. Anything to make the pain subside. Except it didn't work. I was out of control. My heart in shattered pieces. Betrayed by the love of my life. I ripped out the drawers from the dresser and flung them over my shoulder. Tears streamed down my face as I continued to tear apart our bedroom.

How could he do this to me?

I grabbed at one of his sweaters, preparing to rip it in half when my foot caught on the edge of the bed and I went down. I cried out as I landed on all fours and shards of glass penetrated my skin.

"Fuck!"

All my sorrow came to a head and I curled into a ball. My vision watered and I bowed my head. Within forty-eight hours my entire life fell apart. Everything I thought I knew turned out to be a lie. I was played. I was used as a pawn. Had he ever even love me? I wiped at my tears with my wrists and fought to control my breathing. My breathing hitched and I gasped to catch my breath. Everything was wrong. This wasn't how our lives were meant to play out.

We made plans. I had just finished school. My degree could've had us living anywhere we wanted. We stayed up so many nights, mapping out all the places in the world we wanted to see. I fisted the material of his sweater, watching as my knuckles whitened with the force. It'd all been a lie. Sniffing, I plucked out the largest glass pieces and tossed them away from me.