In the dark

Fiona’s POV

I didn’t remember how I got out of the house, I couldn't stand the chaos anymore, my eyes burned as tears loosely dripped down my cheeks.

I only knew that my father’s grip on my trembling arm had loosened for one second, and I used that second to run. The street was already dark and silent laced with only the crickets and soft windy sound but I didn’t mind the stillness of the night, I didn't mind any danger that could happen, I just knew my life was over and I needed to be out of everyone’s sight.

I ran barefooted past the streetlights, even when I didn’t have a place to go, I didn’t stop, I couldn’t go home with them, I sprinted into the street, wandering until an idea dropped in my mind.

“Paris, yes. I should go to her,” I whispered.

My chest hurts. My throat burned. Tears blinded my vision as my legs carried me to her house without another thought.

If there was anyone left in this world who might listen to me, it had to be her.

Even after our fight, I needed my friend and I was so certain she’s going to be there for me.

By the time I reached her street, my breath was uneven and my head felt light. Her apartment lights were on. Voices floated through the door like there was a party going on in there.

She wasn’t alone.

I slowed down, wiping my face with the back of my hand, trying to compose myself before knocking.

Then I heard laughter. A familiar laughter that sent me boiling from the pit of my belly. I froze.

Jude.

My heart skipped painfully.

I moved closer to the door without thinking. It wasn’t fully shut. Their voices were clear.

“…I swear, I just wanted to mess her up, because she refused me, me of all people—how dare she?” Jude said, laughing.

Someone else laughed. “So, was this all intentional? Bad boyyyyy” the other voice praised.

“Yes!” he snapped. “She was acting holy, meanwhile she was busy sleeping with Professor Hart. I wanted her ruined. I wanted everyone to see what slut she truly is. She should be grateful I didn’t leak her videos in the school forum, I only sent it to Marian."

My ears rang, and I poked my tiny fingers into it to be sure I was hearing that correctly.

Paris’s voice came next. Soft. Regretful. “Jude, this is too much…”

“She deserved it,” he cut in. “She rejected me like I was nothing. Choose him over me? I made sure she paid for it.”

“And what happens to me? I loved you too, she never did” she asked.

“Now baby, you’re mine, and that’s not changing. Fiona can go to hell for all I care, I'm with you.”

I stopped breathing as the door before me spun, my hands began to shake violently.

So it was him. He did everything. Everything.

My chest tightened so hard I thought I would collapse, without thinking, I pushed the door open.

The bang against the wall silenced the room instantly.

Five faces turned toward me.

Paris, her roommate, Jude, and two of the most popular boys in school.

They all stared at me like they had seen a ghost.

Paris stood up so fast her chair fell. “Fiona—” she paused. “How long have you been there?”

I couldn’t speak.

Tears poured down my face without control.

Jude’s face lost all color.

“Fiona, I—”

I looked at him with a kind of pain that made him stop talking.

A pain so deep, and broken, it scared even me.

Paris’s eyes filled with tears instantly, explaining herself as she stepped closer to me. “I didn’t know he—”

I stepped back, I couldn’t stay there, I couldn’t breathe the same air as them in that room, it felt like the world was squeezing me tight, I turned and ran.

“Fiona, wait!” Jude ran after me, shouting behind me.

I didn’t stop, I didn't want to be close to him let alone talk.

“Fiona please! Wait!” he screamed, i had no idea what force pulled me to a stop but i paused “I’m sorry! I was jealous! I didn’t mean for it to go this far!”

I didn’t turn, I remained rooted to a spot, listening, and that was all he had to say. Just sorry.

I ran into the dark path leading toward the woods behind their estate, branches scratching my arms as I pushed through.

Tears blurred everything.

I didn’t know where I was going.

I just knew I didn’t want to be anywhere near people.

Jalen’s POV

Marian stood up from the dining table slowly after the door slammed.

She smiled to herself.

“Thank you for making today a memorable one with the drama hubby, this is the best day of my life. Everyone’s reaction was literally priceless” she muttered quietly to me before chuckling.

Then she went upstairs calmly, like nothing had happened.

Like she hadn’t just destroyed three lives at once.

I stood frozen in the middle of the living room, shattered, no words or thoughts coming, Harry and his wife had left us hours after Fiona ran off. I was blank, I didn't know what to do, I just stood there until the doorbell rang again, sharply.

I rushed to open it like i was expecting to see fiona standing right there but it wasn’t her.

Fiona’s parents stood there.

Panicked.

“Is she here?” her mother asked immediately.

My stomach dropped. “What?”

“Oh my God, she’s gone, she’s not home, she ran away!” she continued. “This is all your fault, Jalen, look for my child, right now.”

Cold fear shot through my body, I thought I had had enough for the night, now she’s missing.

I grabbed my keys instantly. “She’s not here. Have you tried calling her?” I asked calmly, struggling to let go of the chaos inside me.

Her mother’s hands trembled. “Her phone is off.”

My mind started racing.

Where would she go? Who would she run to? Then Marian walked majestically downstairs, grumbling.

“Can you keep the noise down? I deserve a good sleep tonight.”

“Just so you know, no one is getting any sleep tonight until I find my daughter,” Harry snapped, finally saying something.

“Okay, relax buddy, we will find her,” I responded.

“Don’t you dare buddy me, ever! This is all your fault, you and your stupid wife!” he added, pointing at me with rage.

“She might be with her friends or something, what happened tonight was definitely a lot for her to process, it’s not that deep, ugh.”

Paris.

I knew it instantly.

“I think I know where she might be, let’s go” I told them.

Fiona’s POV

My legs gave up before my mind did.

I fell to my knees on the cold ground, leaned against a big oak tree, sobbing into my hands.

The woods were silent except for my cries.

I felt empty, and humiliated.

I screamed into the night, my voice breaking apart in the darkness.

I didn’t even know what I was screaming for, I just wanted the pain to stop.

But it wouldn’t. This was the only moment i wished for jalen to be by my side and he was nowhere to be found, i felt defeated and used, i felt stupid, and i remained friends with the darkness.

Jalen’s POV

We got to Paris’s apartment in record time and I couldn't wait to bang on the door. I prayed and hoped that she was in there, I was prepared to pull her into my arms regardless of whatever anyone would say.

Paris opened it, eyes red like she had been crying.

“Hey, have you seen Fiona? Are you okay?” I asked.

“She ran into the woods,” she whispered.

Her words drained the blood from my face “which way?” I snapped, and she pointed in the direction.

Then I ran into the dark.

screaming her name.

“Fiona!”