My head rang along with my ears. The clenching feeling of my chest is almost suffocating. I said just minutes ago I was a crying mess now I have a painful headache from all that.

I glance behind him, seeing the fading image of the girl, a sad smile on her face before she disappears in thin air along with her wave.

I felt lifeless, my numbness being the only thing I could feel. Funny, I don't know how I feel.

"If that's true, where is my grandma?" I heard myself say, my voice not recognizable anymore.

"As twisted as it is, believe every word I said," Jonathan said, showing with his finger for someone.

They placed a file in his hand. He didn't have to open it. The light touch of tears down my cheeks answered.

"Pearl Silo, this is her medical file," he said cautiously placing it in my hand, it was that tension, a sudden pang of sadness, familiarity.

"After the day you went missing she went into cardiac arrest, her last moment was after that phone call" he finished remorse overpowering his voice.

I couldn't stop the stray tears, was it a sad feeling of a part of my life missing.

Who was I kidding this wasn't even my life I had no choice but to believe. This feeling settling in as I look at the smiling face of an older woman I felt a pull of realization but I was empty.

"A phone call" I heard myself say my voice whisper.

"Yes, it was confirmed that a person stated you missing after witnessing..."

"...Sadly her heart couldn't take any more damage"

"7 years ago" it seems the disasters happen on that fateful timeline, yet I can't remember it, the beginning of it all was blank.

I see him sigh, coming to a stand.

Didn't realize the hand that rests on my shoulder.

Alex stoops in front of me, she didn't even have to say anything. No words were needed she engulfs me in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry" she whispered softly allowing me to cry on her shoulder.

Who would have thought?

Hearing that the life you lived wasn't even your life.

A thought crosses my mind I couldn't stop my words before they were said "what about that doctor? I remember him and a hospital bed"

Ashton was the one who spoke up sitting next to us on the floor " he committed suicide, strangely enough, he was paid off in acting in their sick plan"

"Son of a bitch couldn't handle the guilt" he gritted out.

My actual thought didn't surface, the reality taking a toll on my mind, it was almost disgusting to hear all these things.

>¤<

"No way, it's been clearly proven that's it fake" Alex shouted her anger is evident.

"Oh shut it princess real or fake it's worth it," he said pulling away from her before turning back to the television.

It's been about three weeks now, I was feeling a little better, accepting everything was not gonna be easy but unlike my scars, they will never fade.

Unlike my trauma, the devil was still lurking.

"If you say one more word I'll..."

"You'll what? kiss me" Ashton said getting closer to a blushing Alex face.

"Enough you animals, get a room for gosh sakes" I whistled annoyingly yet teasingly.

It was almost normal, I was almost normal.

Who am I kidding I was nowhere near normal.

The light lines on my skin are proof of that.

They both turn red, acknowledging my words as they turn back to the movie. Love was in the air I tell you, but it made me feel uncomfortable.

I couldn't tell why it left a bad feeling within me.

I decided to leave them be, being the third wheel was not gonna be an option. Slowly opening the door with a soft click it shuts.

Stalking down the quiet hallway has been a routine for a while now, thinking about everything, thinking about him.

My stomach chunked at the thought that made me even more think. Who was I kidding, even if I wanted to forget my mind will still lead its way there.

'Sigh...I'm pathetic

Lost in my self-pity, I heard the breaking of glass just in front of me. Frighten I pause in my step, took to the wall when I saw multiple men with firearms.

"Way to be quiet guys, now move" one yelled out as quickly as he spoke the men move off fast.

I felt my panic even as I hid being one with the darkness, I could tell they would sniff me out.

I held my breath hearing the thundering footsteps coming closer. I bit down hard on my tongue, the pain, not the slightest taking me from my situation.

Ashton

Alex

Leaving the room was a mistake but who would have thought a secured place like this would be easily broken into.

Sudden gunshots were heard stopping the steps of the person from coming closer. The direction sounded from down the hall, oh no.

A hideous laugh scared me, even more, to stay still.
"Little birdy" a creepy sing-song voice spoke, it felt like nails on my skin.

"Come out, come out where ever you are" the steps returned coming even closer a silent whimper dare to escape my lips.

"A bird can only fly this far from its nest until cook for the pleasure of it all" he started kicking down objects the hollering sounds of pain.

Doors after doors were being forcefully opened until it stops.

"Something tells me your closer to home" I could feel the menacing stare, each step coming even closer. I look around vigorously for anything to help me, a standing table with a single glass vase on it relief flood me as I held it closely.

Lifting my arm as the footsteps stalking make their way closer.

1...

2...

3..

I swung my hand as hard as I could, the fear of my beating heart praying I hit someone.

The cry of pain brought me joy.

I hurriedly move to see the future of a man bending holding a blood-soaked hand on the forehead.

"You fucking bitch, I'll fucking kill you" he gritted out in agony with clear angry I didn't stay around to see what would happen to me.

Running I stop at the room looking for Ashton and Alex, pure fear when a thrashed room with blood-covered walls greet my eyes.

"No no"

I ran further down the hall, tears covering my face.

They can't be dead there weren't any bodies that hope to fill my mind.

As I was just about to turn the corner, the air left my body at the impact of a body slamming into my back. Hitting hard on the floor my vision became blurry.

"Little bird all alone, too bad isn't," the mysterious person said gripping my hands tightly behind my back as my face kiss the pavement.

The next set of footsteps join in "you caught her, good... give her to me I'll handle her" the voice said sounding painfully out of breath.

"Now you know she can't die here," the mysterious voice said not caring to look at the man as he said those words.

"Look at my fucking face, just give the bitch to me" he railed up step furiously close.

"I won't repeat myself" the man spoke up authority dripping with each word, my skin crawl as I try to focus my eyesight.

Curses were said but the man clearly gave up.

"Noo! Alex, Ashton" I scream as loud as I can with the weight breaking in my back.

"No need calling for them deary, a wasted effort" he whispered close to my ears, pushing down more of his weight.

"Now now sleep boss awaits your presences," the voice said menacingly knocking me over the head with the metal frame of somewhat a gun.

The pain intensifies as the darkness greets.

The surrounding darkness is safer than what will greet me when I open my eyes again.