The Fade

Chapter 10

"What do you mean? And why are you covered in blood?" Mrs McCall frowns.

"I'll explain later, Jason needs you." I rush, quickly grabbing her hand and pulling her out of her house, barely letting her close the door.

Knowing this is serious, Mrs McCall doesn't complain as we climb into her husband car. She takes off towards the hospital, grasping at the few words I manage to get out through my trembling and shakes.

What if he dies? He's going to die because of me. Why did I have to get angry? Why did I have to stand up to my family? Why was I stupid enough to lead him to the place his brother was killed? Why did I do that to him?

"Are you coming inside?" Mrs McCall asks me as she climbs out of the car once we're parked.

"No." I whisper, shaking my head as I bury my head into my hands.

"Ronnie-"

"Go! He needs you." I snap without meaning to.

Mrs McCall takes my words and immediately sprints off for the doors. Unable to take the small space, I get out of the car and shut the door, pacing back and forth repeatedly. My entire body jittering with terror, my feeling like it's beating unevenly, yet I worry more about my friend in the hospital.

"Veronica." He sighs deeply with relief, his arms wrapping around my smaller frame.

For a moment I freeze, tensing up until I realise who he is. Still, having someone so close only agitates me more, making me feel like I can't breath.

"No.." I breathe, pushing him away quickly.

My lungs burn as I struggle to breathe, the oxygen suddenly vanishing from the air, suffocating me. Breath. I tell myself, trying my best to remain calm as I lean against the truck.

Rocking back and forth, I try again but to no avail, and panic finally sets in. The pain of suffocation starting. I spin on my heel, tensing when hands grab me. Lips suddenly hit mine, causing me to instantly freeze up, my panic vanishing for a second as I hold my breath without realising. After a few seconds the lips vanish, and he steps back slightly.

"Breathe." He softly coaxes me, taking my face in his hands.

Holding his eye contact, I do as he says, inhaling deeply through my nose, my heart still racing and my breathing fast, but oxygen finally enters my lungs again.

"I thought you left town." I whisper heavily, my heart so stricken with grief and sadness that i'm not sure if i'm happy he's here, or worried.

"I have unfinished business to deal with." Is all he says, not a word more or even that he's here because of me.

How can I expect him to say that when I chose someone else twice? I hurt him.

"How did you know we were in trouble?" I ask quietly, placing my hands over his larger ones.

"I was nearby." He vaguely answers.

I frown slightly at his response, somehow knowing there's more to the story than what he telling me. Why is he not telling me the reason? Before i can question him further, he takes his hands from my face, effectively breaking contact with me. My heart falls, aching as if he's rejecting me. Is he?

"Do yourself a favour, stay out of the woods, and stay out of my way." He says, his tone cold, hardening by the second as he moves away from me.

My eyes widen a fraction. Is he threatening me? why? My eyes sting as they water slightly, Severus just turn away from me and walks off. Why is he being like this? Moving after him quickly I reach for his hand, about to take it when he abruptly spins around, almost knocking me over. Instantly I stumble, barely catching myself, my heart hurting.