Thank you all so very much! I will warn you, this month will be slow for me. Yeah. Read on and as always: Review your thoughts to me!
Busy stuff going on but it should be over by the end of this month. Smiles.
Anywhore. I decided to switch things up with this chapter. Lets give the rescue squad a short break. Yeah?
xxxxx
"The act of forgiveness takes place in our own mind. It really has nothing to do with the other person."
- Louise Hay
xxxxx
It was only a couple hours since they left on their rescue mission, but it felt like an eternity.
Ashley was tense, growing anxious, as she paced around the room nibbling away at her nails. Back and forth. Back and forth. She was trying her hardest to remain faithful that they would all come back alive, but with each passing minute, her anxiety steadily grew and grew. Her mind was racing, each possible outcome she could imagine was more pernicious and bloody than the last, making her tremble uncontrollably. A whimper slipped through her trembling lips. Please be okay Chris... Please, please, please...
From the floor, facing towards the gated entryway of the safe room, Emily watched as Ashley continued pacing around in the room. Annoyance was evident on her face, her breathing was becoming more agitated and heavy with each step Ashley took. She closed her eyes and tried to block out the persistent rhythm of Ashley's foot steps, but her heated temper grew more red-hot against her will. "Damn it Ashley, stop walking around like that!" She huffed angrily, making Ashley flinch to a stand still. "Seriously, it's bad enough we're all stuck down here together. The least you can fucking do is sit,while waiting, like the rest of us." Standing on her feet, Emily glowered at the startled redhead. If only looks could kill, that'd show that bitch for trying to get her be killed off.
Stupid little bitch.
Ashley adverted her eyes away from the enraged Asian woman, fidgeting with her blood smeared sleeves anxiously. "S-sorry..." Her voice was small and quivered submissively. No matter what she did or say to make things better, she was officially on Emily's dead-bitch list. She didn't know that the bites were non-contagious... She was terrified! That was fairly reasonable... right? Hugging herself, she stared at the concrete floor with shame. Emily scoffed and let out a bitter laugh. "Sorry my ass, honey."
"Okay, Em. I think she gets the point. Lay off."
Emily rolls her eyes and just snidely glares at Matt. "Right. And, how exactly are you any better than her, Meat for Brains?" Matt groaned and massaged his temples, wishing Emily would just calm down. "I tried to save you Em. I really did. Why-"
She wasn't going to listen to his excuses. "Oh really? You fucking left me for dead, Matt! How the fuck is that 'trying to save' me? Hmm?" She was getting sick of these people and their constant excuses. So pathetic. "You can keep defending this little backstabbing tramp all you want, because as far as I'm concerned, you're all dead to me." Defiantly crossing her arms, she gave them a resolute nod, signifying she was done with their argument.
Gotta keep your cool Matt... Keep it together.
But that was easier said than done. He dealt with Emily's hostility and egotistical attitude for nearly a year and his patience was up. He honestly tried his damn hardest to ride out the hostile trigger arguments, taking all her acidic insults and rarely ever questioned her demands. But enough was enough. Fuck it. "You know, Em? You can act all high and mighty all you fucking want, but I fucking tried my hardest to save you. Kay? I don't get why you have to be so god damn hostile towards me and everyone else, but you know what? I'm done! I'm done being treated like fucking shit day in and day out! Nothing seems to ever make you happy! Maybe for once, in your damn life, you'll grow up and stop being such a controlling bitch! Not every-damn-thing is always about you, Emily!" She was shocked at his reaction. He rarely ever lost his temper or even complained about her and even though they argued constantly, he still remained with her. His words bore and nashed at her self-confidence and left her feeling humiliated, self-conscious and small. Did everyone see her this way? Is that why Mike, not only cheated on her, but left her for her ex-best friend? She looked around the room towards the two silent girls, then back to her fuming boyfriend... ex-boyfriend.
Was I always like that...? Is that how everyone sees me...?
Something within her snapped and ruptured, like a mirror being shattered into a million glistening pieces.
She embraced herself, keeping her eyes tightly shut, trying her best to keep from falling apart. She wasn't going to cry. She wasn't going to breakdown in front of them. You're stronger than this, Em. You're better than this. Pull it together. Her mind repeated to her as a mantra, trying to soothe her beaten pride. Reminding her that she was anything but weak. Her body shook, she was internally fighting off her insecurities as she tried to even out her breathing.
From her little corner, Ashley watched as the chaos unfolded before her. She felt helpless and uncertain on what to do. Her breathing became hitched and shallow from her internal confliction over the situation before. More than anything she wanted to cry. For Chris to be here with her. For this nightmare to end... Oh god...
Matt looked at the ground, angry with himself for losing his composure. Clenching and unclenching his fists, grinding his teeth, the frustration of the situation was bringing out the wrost in him - in all of them. Sparing a solemn glance towards Emily, he let out a weak defeated sigh. "Em, I'm so so-"
"Shut up, Matt." Her tongue was venomous and sharp. When she finally looked up at him, he could see the fury burn brightly within her amber brown, lachrymose eyes. Fear and regret washed over him, causing him to tremble under her murderous, pained scowl. Her jaw was clenched steadfast and her nostrils were flared, he could hear her vehement intake and outtake of breaths. She was like a frenetic bull ready to charge and trample him mercilessly. Black and red rimmed her vision as she started her way towards the dark skinned jock, her hands clenched in to tight, white-knuckled fists ready to deliver.
But before she could react or say a single word, something binds her in a frantic trembling embrace. With every tremor, she could feel the fear, the anxiety and pain that vibrated into her body. Slowly, Emily could feel herself begin to descend from her raged frenzy as she glanced down to see Jessica binding her in a desperate hug. The broken, beatened blonde held her with whatever strength she could muster, ignoring the aches and pains that her body screamed at her. She whimpered and cried into Emily's shoulder as she choked on her words. "Em... Em... I-I'm sorry..."
Her words were frail and broken. Barely above a whisper. It baffled Emily. Why was she hugging her? Why was she apologizing now? Did she hit her head and forget that they hated each other? She could feel her throat tighten and her eyes begin to overflow with tears. She didn't understand... What the hell?
"For what?" She growled out through clenched teeth, trying so strenuously not to cry. Why was she about to cry? This girl betrayed her. Abandoned her. Stole from her. She was nothing to her. She is nothing. Jessica looked up and her tearful, bruised, baby blues pierced into Emily's amber brown. Emily could see the pain and regret, the hate and resentment... "I-I was terrible..." Her voice quivered and cracked. It hurt to talk... "... Should've been a better... friend..." Emily looked away. She didn't want to deal with this shit right now... She wanted to be mad. She wanted to hate her. To hate them all.
Why wasn't she getting mad?!
She hurt me! She doesn't deserve shit from me!
She tried to hold the tears back, but they were freely streaming down her face. "God damnit." She shakingly muttered under her breath. "So... so very sorry, Em..." Jessica buried her face into Emily's shoulder as they both fell to their knees.
"I missed you..."
Slowly, Emily wrapped her arms around Jessica, tightly clinging onto the old tattered fabric. She hated the whole damn situation... And she wholeheartedly hated to admit it; but she missed her... She missed Jessica.
I fucking missed you... You damn bitch...
Matt and Ashley watched the two grieving girls hug and cry into each other. For a moment, their hellish reality was forgotten. Ashley and Matt gave each other a hopeful and contented smile as they watched the beautiful, almost dream-like, scene before them. It made them want to cry with joy...
THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP SLAM
Everyone froze, holding their breathes, slowly looking up above them. The fear crept back and constricted at their hearts, plummeting and shattering whatever hope they once had. Matt watched the ceiling, straining his ears to catch any more noise, fearfully whispering. "What was that...?"