Beautiful Creatures: 20 Years Later

Chapter 25: Whatever Comes Next

Thalia POV

I didn't think. I just ran after Dylan (which I'm assuming his new name is) as fast as I could.

He... was Light?

How was this possible?!

I was aware of the sun coming up, and that Krystal and Tony would be be wakening soon. I knew they wouldn't be pleased when they discovered us missing. Maybe they'd think we were kidnapped? No. Nobody even knew where we were... that wouldn't make any sense.

I ran until my lungs gasped breathlessly for air, my legs were sore, and spots danced before my eyes. Then, tears welling up, I sobbed into my hands.

I wanted to call Lila Jane. I wanted to so badly. I had managed to forget about her the past few days, telling myself this was best for her. Because, despite that I was sitting here in the dirt looking for Dylan, despite that I had left LJ to protect her, I knew that one day the voices in my head - which I've been hearing since my Claiming - would overcome common sense, and I would quickly drift away from my old self.

And I knew I had no choice. I had to cease searching for him, because I was being selfish. I was lookong for someone who didn't want to be found, putting him in danger of... me.

I morosely thought of the perfect life I'd left behind. I tried to imagine what the others would advise.

Dad would've said that I should just relax, and everything would work itself out; that wouldn't work this time.

Mom would've probably exploded the world.

And Lila Jane... if I knew what she would do, I might be home safe, with lovely green eyes to match hers.

I'm not going to bother to worry about what Macon would do, because who knows what goes on in his mind?

Anton... well... I wasn't sure what he'd do either.

That left Liam. The thought of him flashed guilt before my eyes. He had - briefly - truly been the object of my affection, yet here I was hunting for a boy that wasn't him.

Who did I love?

Maybe I wasn't really meant to love. Or to be loved.

"Thalia...?"

I was so lost amid my thoughts, I didn't hear footsteps approaching slowly.

I turned around, swiping tears from my eyes. Standing there, with guilt and sorrow etched on his face, was Ja- Dylan.

Realization donned on his face when he saw my red eyes.

"Hey... don't cry."

I looked down, oddly ashamed.

"You know, I... never thought that I might fall in love," he said out of nowhere.

I returned my gaze to him.

"But... you've become the first girl I've loved."

"And I'm sorry," he finished.

He spread his arms wide, hoping I'd hug him. I did.

Pulling apart from him, I knew I should admit that I also sort of loved Liam...

...but was it so wrong that I wanted to keep this moment, just for now? Knowing it couldn't last forever, because I was Dark, and he was Light?

So I just said, "Everything's gonna be okay, Dylan."

Even though I didn't believe it myself.

A/N: Hey!! So, firstly, I'd like to say:

Happy 28th birthday, Phil Lester (aka AmazingPhil)!!!!!!! He is such an amazing person, and he's hilarious, and I just love him to bits. So, if you don't know who he is then 1) shame on you 2) look up AmazingPhil or LessAmazingPhil on YouTube. Can we all please take a moment to realize: HE IS FLIPPING TWENTY. EIGHT. WHY DO THEY GROW UP SO FAST?!

Okay. Now, also, I wanted to ask you an important question: do you like The Mortal Instruments/Infernal Devices/Dark Artifices? 'Cause I might write a fanfic about that.

Yeah. Bye.