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“Whatever this is, I can explain.”
Declan is attempting to lead me away from the forest entrance toward unknown parts. Our prison? We haven’t used that in decades. Everything is usually resolved so cleanly.
But I fight him with the force of my body. He’s got my hands bound, but I still have my legs.
“Whatever it is,” I shout to her, though it is more of a plea to everybody. “I can explain!”
I don’t expect a response. Declan patiently waits with my shackles in his hands.
She walks up to me, from back out of the crowd.
I try to offer a look of genuine kindness to her.
She just takes my cheek in her hand, smiling at me in return. I can feel a bit of her gentleness oozing though.
Maybe she’s coming to apologize, I think.
I still have the faintest hope that this issue can be resolved without a conflict.
But her face contorts in rage, and I realize how much I’ve hurt her.
She slaps me, raising her hand in a show of force.
My face is sore from the collision, the noise echoing through the chilly air. The crowd of people all look shocked but engaged.
Skye cries out in pain, and my heart breaks. She frantically paces the pavement, unsure of what to do. She has been by my side for so long, and she has no idea how to help me.
“Was it all a lie?” she asks me. “How long have you known?”
“If you’ll stop and explain what all of this is about, maybe you can –”
“Why?” She chuckles. “So you can deflect again? Change the subject? Gaslight me?”
She laughs louder. “I’m sorry, Brielle,” she says. “But I can’t do this anymore. I care about you so much, but you’re going to bring Lowtown down with you.”
During all of this, Declan looks compassionate toward both of our pleas but keeps a safe distance away, holding my shackles from about four feet. I try to register a connection at least with him – he has always defended and protected me, ever since childhood – but not even he will meet my glance.
He just looks sad.
“Is anybody going to explain to me what’s going on?”
“Think of the worst thing you’ve done in the past few weeks,” Declan growls, sparing Riya from delivering the bad news. His voice is solemn and contained. “We know.”
“How could you –” Riya stares at me, her eyes empty. “With anelf?”
It’s over. They know.
I shake my head. Riya is nearly inconsolable now but rebuffs Colson and Genesis as they approach, attempting to comfort her. They back away, folding their arms and looking at me with disgust.
“It’s not that simple sometimes, Riya,” I say, tears welling up in my own eyes.
“Oh!” Riya chuckles madly. “It’s not that simple, is it? Do you mind telling me how it’s notsimple?”
I stare her down, trying to find the words. The eyes of the entirety of Lowtown are upon me now. I see people I grew up with… adults who comforted and molded me, friends who lent me a shoulder to cry on. This is my whole life up to this point, damning me for my actions.
“It just sort of happened.”
I don’t know what else to say to her.
