Rewriters [Completed]

Chapter 12: Woe

When Kaleo got the strength to stand up, he returned to the venue of the book festival. He felt numb but the distress on his face was present for everyone to see. He vaguely remembered hearing the members mumbling words of concern as Julia sent him home with James accompanying him.

Unlike everyone else, James was silent until they reached Kaleo's apartment.

"Take care," the teenager said, giving him an unexpected look of sympathy, and left.

Later, Kaleo was told that Lysa never returned to the venue. No one had seen where she went.

The next day, he tried to contact her, but she never answered. As his call resulted in empty ringing once again, the hand that held his phone fell limply to his side. He took in a shuddering breath, trying to calm the wave of emotions threatening to overcome him.

I have to find her.

He stood up, grabbing his jacket and headphones. He was going to look for her at her apartment, even though she told him to leave her alone. But after seeing her in pain because of him, he couldn't just leave her without an apology.

Pressing against the chilly breeze, Kaleo reached his destination as fast as he could. However, as he stood at the door, doubt crept up to him and he hesitated.

I have to try.

He rang the doorbell. "Lysa, it's me, Kaleo. If... you are in there, could you open the door? I just want to apologise..."

No answer.

He knocked on the door. "Please... let me apologise." Lowering his head in shame, he continued. "I know... I've been a terrible person. I guess I was just too hopeful; even though I had problems of my own, I tried to help you, and I only made you feel worse. But... please, I just want to know whether you are okay... as a fri-"

He stopped himself from finishing that sentence. Were they even friends in the first place?

Of course we aren't friends, he thought, feeling an aching pain in his chest. I forced her into a project that I wanted. Whatever I do only made her suffer more...

"Kaleo, what are you doing here?" It was Mrs Alvin's voice. He had hoped to avoid her, unable to face her after what he had done.

"I'm sorry..." He managed to force out. "I... made a mistake and now... I can't contact Lysa at all. She's not answering the door either..."

Her face fell, replaced by that of distress. "Not again..." she whispered to herself, her voice quivering with sorrow.

Kaleo closed his eyes, waiting for the landlady to blow up on him, to blame him for what happened. It was what he deserved anyway.

It never came. Instead, she walked up to him and faced the door. "Let me try," she spoke quietly before knocking on the door.

"Lysa, it's Mrs Alvin... could you open the door? I'm worried about you. Please... don't shut me out again..."

Her voice was so anguished that he started tearing up. But he didn't want to cry. Not yet, not now, not in front of someone he didn't know very well. He quickly wiped away his tears.

They waited. No answer.

"I'm going in," Mrs Alvin said tensely, taking out a spare key and opening the door.

Lysa's apartment felt colder and darker than he remembered. The curtains were covering the windows, blocking the sunlight from coming in. Mrs Alvin went to look for her while he remained in the living room.