Don't tell me bye bye (mystery/ thriller)

Chapter 29

I snatched my drawing from mum's hands, then found the selfie of me and Rose we took in the mill. I waved it in front of them all in my shaking hand, but Jin and mum just exchanged a look which filled me with fear. Only Teddy smiled at the photo, confirming it was a photo of me and Rose.

All mum and Jin could see in the photo was me.

They both shouted after me as I left them with Teddy in the woods, my mind racing so far ahead I could barely keep up with my own thoughts. As soon as I was alone in the shadows and whispers of the trees, I realised that I have no idea where Rose lives, and don't even have her phone number. I slowed to a jog, thinking about where I was running to, then picked up my pace. There could only be one place.

I stop on the wooden footbridge, just able to make out the outline of the mill against the indigo sky, a warm glow flickering through the windows on the ground floor. I take a few deep breaths, knowing that when I go in there'll be no denying the truth, another truth that I wasn't even looking for, but has found me anyway.

I burst through the ancient door, letting it slam closed behind me, and wave my torch around the mill. "Rose?! Rose?!"

There's movement and the crackling of flames from around the corner, and I run towards the sound. Rose is sitting cross legged in front of the fire, her hands outstretched towards the orange flames. She stands up and brushes the mill dust from her backside and tidies up her hair. Her eyes flicker with uncertainty in the glow of the fire as she looks at me, and her fingers twist together as she waits for me to make the first move.

Everything I've bottled up over the last few days, since I got here, or maybe since Jungkook died comes shooting up from a part of my soul that I wouldn't acknowledge, and I run towards my friend, sobbing as I throw my arms around her and bury my face in her shoulder. Her shoulders relax as she squeezes me back, her small hands holding onto me for dear life. I come up for air, wiping my eyes as I pull away from her, taking in every one of her features as if she's going to be torn from my life at any second.

I put my hands on either side of her face. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, Rose!"

She puts her soft hands around my wrists and pulls my hands down, a smile hidden underneath her quivering lip, and shakes her head. "It's okay, it wasn't your fault."

"But I was there! I should have done something, I should have remembered, when I first met you or when I saw Tae...I...I..."

I can hardly understand my own words as I sob uncontrollably. I cover my mouth with my hand, unable to keep a lid on the despair for my friend as it rattles my insides.

"Y/n, you couldn't have done anything. There was one adult in the situation and he let us all down." "But I...why didn't you tell me?"

"I couldn't tell you." She shakes her head and wipes her eyes, leaving streaks of salty tears glistening across her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I wanted to, but I couldn't."

I shake my head, unable to understand, a thousand questions buzzing in my head that I know we don't have the time for.

"I should have helped you," I whisper.

Rose's eyes widen and she grabs my shoulders. "You did help me, Y/n. You did. My existence was...I've been eavesdropping on lives that have long forgotten me, then one day I felt something in Seoul shift; the energy changed. Even my family left the memory of me here years ago, but you found me again."

Her hands press down on my shoulders, drawing strength from me, or maybe I'm drawing strength from her. I look at the ground, my eyes trying to find respite from the fire, from my tears, and from hers.