I close the door behind me and take a deep breath. I look at the sky, and by the sun's position, it should be around mid-afternoon. Everything happened so fast that I haven't had time to process what just occurred. I am definitely not going back inside, and the Morgan's house would be the first place they would look, so there is only one other option.

As if in a trance, I make my way to my special spot. The place where I know no one will find me, where I can just sit in peace by myself and let my thoughts wander. It is my safe haven.

My secret treehouse.

I didn't notice when I reached the woods, I didn't notice when I climbed the ladder of the treehouse, and I didn't notice the silent tears making their way down my emotionless face.

Until all of the events of a few minutes ago dawn on me, and I break down. Only this time, I am all alone with no one to comfort me.

I sit in the corner of the small wooden construction and hug my knees tightly. Loud and ugly sobs rack my body as I replay the scene in my head over and over again.

Old memories related to the secret that is now out in the open make their way to the front of my mind. They stay there, plaguing my consciousness in a constant loop.

They bring me back to the time when I wanted to give up. When there was no more fight or resilience left in me to care. To the times when darkness consumed my every thought and the light had deserted me.

It reminds me of the day I decided that living was too painful. My parents had died a few years ago and it was all my fault, so why should I be able to breathe when they couldn't? It is because of me that my older brothers have to work double the time to pay for my constant hospital bills. They have to spend large amounts of time caring for me, especially when I am sick even though I am the living reminder that their parents are dead. I was more trouble than I was worth. I was a deadweight, a burden.

Not was. I am.

When Greyson saw what was about to happen that day, he managed to remind me of all the bright sides. And I believed him with all my heart. But now, I am stuck inside my head, dark thoughts spiraling violently in my mind, obfuscating the remaining rays of light. And there is no one here to rescue me this time.

Or so I thought...

Drowning in my subconsciousness, I didn't take notice of the person sitting beside me until a pair of arms pulled me into their comforting embrace. That simple gesture was enough to bring me back. Back to reality, where everything had a light in the sea of shadows. Instantly, I start to regret my line of thought just seconds ago. No one would know of them unless I told them, but the guilt was still there. How could I even think like that? How could I even fathom the idea of leaving all of the people that have done nothing but loved me suffering, blaming themselves? How could I cause such pain to my other halves, my soulmates, my triplets?

In this moment, I make a promise to myself. I will never think like that again. Some might say that I have no control over it, but I will fight to take charge, and if that doesn't work, I will tell my brothers and friends so that they can help me. I can fight a battle by myself and win, but no one has ever won a war alone, and I won't either.

Leaving the cage that is my mind, I take notice of the one hugging me. The one who saved me from drowning. A best friend that is always there for me, just like a brother. He is my guardian angel.

Riley sits here right next to me with tears in his eyes. His arm is still draped over my shoulder in a comforting way, but sadness is radiating from him. I look out of the window to see that the sun has set, and it makes me realize that my brothers and Grey must have already told the Morgans what happened to know where I am. Of course, Riles would be the one who would know where to find me.

No words are said as we sit here, only having the chirp of the night owls in the background. It is a comfortable silence, that soon is broken by my best friend's trembling voice.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He whispers to me. A few seconds go by before I am able to formulate a few words. My sobs have now died down, and I am left sniffling.

"I didn't know how to..." I answer in an equally low voice, meaning every word. How do you tell someone that you almost killed yourself? That you were going to leave them behind? It is something hard to talk about, and not even Grey knows the whole story. He didn't ask any questions at the time therefore he only knows what he saw. I am sure that everyone is wondering what was going through my head and what was it that made me break, but that is a story for another time. Someday, I will tell them, but that day hasn't arrived yet.

"I don't know why you did it, and I am not going to pressure you into telling me anything, but please," He begs. "Don't try to do it again. You might just be successful, and I am not willing to lose you, nor is anyone of our friends and family." He pleads, looking deep into my violet-colored eyes.

"I won't," I say with determination. Apparently, that was all he needed to hear because, in a swift motion, he pulls me into a bone-crushing hug that I reciprocate with as much strength as I can muster. I feel a few wet droplets on my neck that I know to be Riley's tears, and I hug him even tighter.

"Thank you, Ry. For everything you do for me. For your support, your friendship, your mood-lifting jokes. But most of all for being in my life" I tell him from the bottom of my heart, snuggling my head into his neck.

"You have me. Until every last star in the galaxy dies, you have me." He tells me sincerely, still hugging me. Times like these are rare. When my best friend is this serious, it means that the subject at hand is grave.

"Besides, you are my Nemo. If you get lost in the great, big ocean, I'll find you." And he is back...

His playful comment makes me let out a small giggle, and we pull away. He gives me a boyish grin, no doubt from hearing me laugh, and starts to make his way to the ladder, expectantly waiting for me to follow him.

A smile starts to make its way onto my face, but it falters when I remember that I can't go home. I have to stick to my words so that those rowdy boys I call my brothers, and my giant friend know I am serious. I meant what I said. I will not go back to them until they have some time to think things through and resolve their petty arguing problem. Besides, Ezekiel also said some hurtful things regarding me, and even though it might not have been intentional to hurt me, it will still do him good to think about his actions.

Seeing my mood dampen, Riley stops and turns to me with furrowed eyebrows "What's wrong, Lu?" He asks gently. I let out a deep sigh before telling him the reason for the sudden gloomy cloud above my head. Upon hearing my explanation he smirks as if he knows something I don't.

"Who said we were going home...?" He questions with a cunning smile playing on his lips, his hazel-green eyes dancing with mischief.

I have no idea what is going through Riles' head. Hell, no one knows! But the one thing I am sure of is that whatever he has in store for us, will bring a smile to my face, and that is all that I need right now.

Author note:

Hi everyone! Surprise!!! I am sorry that I have been gone for so long, but for a while, I lost the motivation to write and I didn't have much free time.

I know this chapter was a little shorter than they usually are but what did you think of it? Did you like it?

I already have the next chapter planned out, so it shouldn't take too long to update, but I regret to inform you that the updates will be a bit slow. I realized that most of my writers' block was due to the pressure of wanting to give you guys long and regular updates, and in that process, I kind of lost my interest to write for fun. Now that I have it back, I will make sure to keep it so that you won't be this long without a chapter. If I have no pressure on my shoulders to give you regular updates, then my writing will flow much better.

That being said, here is the question of today:

Question: What do you think Riley is going to take Luna? What is your least favorite character so far?

I hope you have a great day/night and stay safe!!

XOXO