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As I merged my consciousness with hers, I pinned her beneath my body and closed my eyes.
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37
GRACE
“Sebastian!” I yelled, chasing him through his house as he ran away. I couldn’t run that fast. It felt like my feet were stuck in wet concrete.
My chest tightened, and my eyes stung with tears as sobs bubbled past my lips. Desperation had me in a chokehold as I chased Sebastian, who ran like the devil was at his heels.
“Please don’t run from me! I’m so sorry,” I pleaded as I moved one slow leg in front of the other.
Sebastian disappeared up the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the too-quiet home. “Leave me alone, bitch!” he yelled. His words were a knife in my gut.
A ragged cry spilled from me, and I crawled up the stairs, grappling with each step. Gravity changed and I clung to the treads, my legs dangling beneath me. I panted as I clawed my way onto the step, repeating the slow movements until I reached the top of the stairs.
By the time I hauled myself onto the landing, I was a hot mess. Tears streaked down my face, and a scream caught in my throat. My temples throbbed with a headache from the emotional pain. Guilt crushed my lungs.
“It’s not my fault,” I whispered. “It wasn’t me who did it.”
I stood up, walking as slow as molasses, bumping into the long hallway’s wall. My feet racked over random items scattered on the floor.
“Told ya he’s good for nothing.”
My spine straightened, and I spun around to face the familiar voice. Layla stood in the doorway of the guest bathroom, her arms crossed over her chest. She still wore her red cami top and leather skirt. Her makeup was perfect, and her hair tumbled in beach waves past her shoulders.
“Layla!” I cried, stumbling toward her.
She grinned, and her eyes brightened as she looked at me. Joy filled me, and the crushing guilt and sadness evaporated. It felt like everything had been put back into place and what we had gone through never happened. She was alive! Everything was going to be okay.
“Where have you been?” I asked as I moved closer to her.
Her face fell and she doubled over, wrapping her arms around her stomach as she shrieked at the top of her lungs. I stepped back, horrified and unsure of what was happening.
“In here,” Sebastian whispered into my ear.
Goosebumps rose on my arms, and I turned my head, finding the spot next to me empty. His open bedroom door spilled light into the dark hallway.
Layla’s ragged breaths pulled my attention back to her. She raised her head, still bent over. Tears glittered in her eyes, and makeup streaked down her cheeks. My mouth dried as I noticed the upside-down cross carved into the middle of her forehead.
Something burned on my forehead, and I reached up, wincing as I touched the wound. I knew it was the same upside-down cross.
Blood dripped from the corner of her lips, and now her lipstick had smeared like she’d wiped at it with the back of her hand. “Don’t leave me,” she begged.
“Never!” I whisper-yelled while lunging forward. I stumbled and froze mid-step.
A hand caught my wrist and yanked me back. I turned my head but found no one there. The light from Sebastian’s room drew me to it like a moth flying into the flames.
“Don’t leave me,” Layla begged again.
I looked at her, my chin quivering and eyes burning with tears. “I have to apologize to him. He has to forgive me.”
Layla screamed, lunging at me with sharp teeth and all-black eyes. A scream caught in my throat, and gravity worked for me this time. I ran down the hall and into Sebastian’s bedroom.
“Sebastian?” I called, my chest tight with emotion.
“I’m here,” he said behind me.
