What Exactly Happened: Part 4

He swallowed thickly and closed his eyes for a brief moment, willing the feeling in his chest to calm down. Just because she remembered who he was didn't mean that he owed her any sort of explanation, especially when there was no way that he was ever going to forgive himself if he ever admitted that he'd lied to her for so long. It didn't matter how angry she was with him, he wasn't going to take advantage of her and force his way into her life.

And yet, despite the rational part of his brain insisting that he shouldn't even bother trying to find out what was wrong with her. shouldn't search for answers, shouldn't risk getting involved, shouldn't let her distract him, shouldn't make her feel less lonely - he still found himself reaching out and turning the handle.

The moment it swung open, he stepped into the room, instantly drawn to the sight of her slumped against the wall. He made his way towards her slowly, cautiously watching as she raised her arms protectively, bracing them against her knees.

"Sarah, I-"

"Leave," she mumbled, pushing herself away from the wall and standing straight.

Her cheeks had become flushed and her eyes glistened with tears, leaving smudges of mascara down her cheeks. The redness seemed to spread downwards, painting her cheeks and chin, making it appear as though she'd been crying all night.

"Why don't you want me here?"

He moved closer, stopping inches away from her.

She shook her head vigorously and took another couple of steps back until her back hit the doorframe.

"I said leave."

He tried to hold his tongue, tried to keep his mind focused on the mission he was supposed to be pursuing. Despite his best efforts to resist, he could feel the heat rising to his cheeks once more as he took one last glance at her before forcing his feet to turn around and leave.

He walked into the living room, picking up the newspaper he had left scattered on the floor earlier and flicking through it. As he scanned the page he had already perused earlier, his gaze caught on the small headline that he had missed earlier. A new serial killer was suspected in town. He couldn't stop the sigh that escaped his lips, not bothering to suppress it this time. This case seemed to be becoming increasingly more troublesome the more he thought about it.

He closed the newspaper without giving it another glance. He couldn't help thinking about everything that had happened lately. Strangers happened in parts of his hometown. The unexplained killings. The sudden disappearance of his best friend. Not to mention the mysterious figure that he hadn't come across. And while the police had yet to catch him in custody, he was pretty sure they would sooner or later. All he could do was try his damnedest to stay alert and prepared for any possible attacks.

Because somehow, somewhere along the way, he had gotten involved in something much more dangerous than any of them had anticipated. Something he had no business being involved in. He knew that. Still, he had promised her family that he would keep his promise. And no matter what he believed or what his father had done he knew that that promise meant absolutely nothing. Nothing at all if he was dead.

The phone on the bedside table rang and he jumped slightly, almost dropping the newspaper as he fumbled to reach out and pick it up. His heart began beating wildly in his chest, the feeling suddenly overpowering all the other emotions that had taken over his senses. Fear, anxiety, uncertainty, frustration, confusion...it was all swirling around inside of him and suddenly he just wished that he could run away from everything. From his memories, from the past, from his past self.

To be continued...