I watched as Will stormed out of the room. His words hurt. I wasn't an emotionless creep. I huffed, clenching my fists. He heard me singing. I'm mortified. I haven't sung in years. My father always said only "Queers sing" and he'd shun me for it. Momma and Bianca loved my singing... But they're gone.

I sighed, shaking my head. We've gotten in fights like this before. He'll forget it soon enough and everything will be fine. That's what I told myself. Until a day passed and there's been no sign of him. That's fine. Maybe he's spending his time elsewhere. He's with a.. Friend. That's what I told myself..

Until another day passed without sign of him. This isn't normal, right? No it is. He'll be back. (Soon you'll see.) There's no need to worry. That's what I told myself.

Until yet another day went by. His parents are starting to worry. His siblings are starting to worry. His kingdom is starting to worry. Where is he? Is he being this stubborn? Is he really going this far to ignore me? Maybe he is.. Maybe I deserve it. That's what I told myself.

Then another passed. There was a message given to King Apollo. Will's been kidnapped and his kidnappers were demanding money. Oh god. Will's been captured. When did this happen? I should have been there. His family is devastated, his kingdom is freaking out. I've been protecting him for days. I could have stopped this.

Another day passed. Both kingdoms are searching. They haven't found anything. What if he's already dead? He died hating me. I deserve that. I've been nothing but a jerk to him the whole time we've known each other. Now he's dead. He's dead because of me. I did this. My fault, my fault, my fault!

I don't leave my bedroom anymore. Unless I'm out, interrogating the townspeople. I keep coming back with nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing!

Will died hating me. I'm sure everyone who loved him now hates me. If I hadn't gotten so mad. If I hadn't yelled at him, he wouldn't have left. He wouldn't have been captured. It's my fault. I can't. I can't deal with the guilt. The worry. The fear. I can't. I can't, I can't, I can't!

(I'm not even sorry.)