Chapter-24: Rejected

Sya's POV 'This won't budge either," Hannah groaned, trying to pull out the tiny window. 'It's no use. The window's too small for us to climb out anyway," I told her, sitting down on one of the empty cartons. She sat down next to me and sighed. 'I'm worried. Why haven't the guys come yet?" I wanted to answer her but I felt so weak. It was like my body was slowly beginning to shut down on its own. 'Sya? You okay?" Hannah asked, concern coating her voice. I nodded but fell to the ground anyway. She sat down next to me, holding my hand. 'Sya! Hang on a bit in there please!" I nodded. 'It's okay. I'm a bit dizzy that's all." I sat up straighter, thumping my head to clear my blurred vision a bit. It worked. A knock at the door called our attention. 'Hannah? Sya? You guys in there?" a female voice asked. 'Stella!" Hannah cried, quickly running over to the door. 'We're in here!" 'Hang on you guys!" Stella called out. We heard a blast before the door creaked wide open. I could see him standing there, in the doorway. Behind Stella and Bryson. My Kane. His looked so worried as he dashed inside and wrapped his arms around me. I hugged him back, clutching him tightly. I really was alive. 'My princess, are you okay?" he pulled back and examined my body for injuries. I shook my head. 'I'm so glad you came." I cried out, tears streaming down my face already. 'Why wouldn't I?" he whispered, smiling sadly at me. 'Your life was in danger because of me." I shook my head. 'No. You came because you love me Kane. And I do too. I love you so much." He smiled, the most beautiful smile I had ever seen on him. He gently kissed my forehead. 'I'll always love you. Today and forever." Stella cleared her throat. 'Uh guys. As much as I love romantic reunions, we need to get out." Kane tried to help me stand up when I suddenly felt a sharp pain travel from my head all the way down to my spine. I crumbled back to the ground, like a paper doll. 'What happened?" he asked worriedly. 'I feel a bit woozy," I mumbled. He quickly put his hand under me and lifted me up bridal style. I put my arms around him, holding onto him tightly as the four of us walked out of the dark place I'd never see in my life again. We sat in the car, Hannah and Bryson at the front and me, Kane and Stella at the back. 'So," I spoke up, out of the blue. 'Am I your mate?" Kane's eyes widened. So did Bryson's. So did Stella's. 'Y-You know? About us?" he asked, sounding extremely nervous. I nodded. 'I do." Kane's body had stiffened up beside mine. 'Listen Sya. I'll explain-" 'You don't have to," I told him softly, holding his hand. 'I don't care if you have fangs or not. I could never." Kane didn't relax even after that. I turned a bit so I could whisper the remaining part in his ear. 'All I care about is that you're mine and mine alone. I love you, Kane." I kissed his cheek before resting my head back on his shoulder, clutching onto him. His body relaxed and he kissed my forehead. 'I love you. Forever." I closed my eyes and before I drifted off, I heard Hannah's voice. 'Would you tell me what you are now?" she spoke quietly, to Bryson. After that, I fell asleep, every inch of my body aching, sore, and weak. Kane's POV Soon we arrived back at home and when we got out of the car, Bryson took Hannah with him to explain things to her separately. I knew what kind of fear and turmoil he was going through because I'd felt it before but it was all gone now. Thanks to my angel. I took Sya, still in my arms, to her room and laid her on the bed. She was looking so peaceful and at ease, it warmed my heart. I pulled off her shoes and gently tucked her in. I sat beside her, examining the injury on her head. It wasn't that bad just swollen a bit. I'd clean it once she woke up. It would be wrong to disturb her right now. I caressed her face, feeling her presence beneath the tips of my fingers. 'I missed you so much," I whispered. I sighed as I remembered those excruciating hours I spent worrying for her. My heart clenched at the thought of her getting hurt. It was my fault. It was my fucking fault that she got hurt. Back then, I wasn't able to protect my only family, my friends but now, I'd changed it all. I killed the person who laid his hands on her and I'll kill everyone who tries to do so. My thoughts were interrupted when a redhead popped up by the door. "Can we talk for a second?" Stella asked. I cursed under my breath. I know what she wants to talk about. I nodded. I stood up and glanced at my beautiful mate one last time before following her out. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.* Sya's POV: I groaned as I opened my eyes slowly. When I took in my surroundings, I heaved a sigh of relief upon realizing that I wasn't inside that moldy room anymore but in Kane's house. In my home. I stretched and sat up, realizing that I was very hungry. Of course, I couldn't get my cheeseburger and miss out on lunch and dinner. Glad I didn't become somebody else's dinner. I got off the bed and went to the bathroom. I looked like someone picked off the streets. I quickly washed my face, brushed my hair, and put on some lotion before stepping out of my room. As I walked down the hall towards the kitchen, I felt a weird feeling crawl up my arms and shoulders. The house was eerily quiet. I suddenly remembered what happened at the mall and shivered. But since this was Kane's home, I knew I was safe. And I felt safe too. As I passed by the living room, however, I heard voices. It sounded like two people arguing. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I stopped when I heard Kane. 'Stella, I understand what you're saying but now is not the time," he was saying, sounding tired and frustrated. I felt sad. He was going through trouble yet I couldn't help him and just increased his troubles. 'When is the time then?" Stella countered. 'She deserves to know. She has every right." 'I want to tell her too! But- I don't think I can," he answered. 'You have to!" Stella cried. 'You have to tell her that you rejected her the night you saved her from the accident that killed her parents." My heart stopped. He'd known me since then? The images of those grey-blue flashed through my eyes again. The eyes of my savior. It had been him! He was the one who saved me and yet he left me there to die anyway? Tears brimmed my eyes as I stared at the back of his head. Stella was the one to see me first and stop talking. Seeing her go numb, Kane turned around and looked straight at me. 'Sya?" I didn't respond. I was all stiff with shock and anger and hurt. Kane, my Kane, rejected me when I needed him the most? 'I can explain-" 'No!" I yelled, cutting him off. 'How could you? You saw my parents die yet you left me there to suffer for years and years to come?!" Kane looked pained. He knew it was his fault. He was the one who caused all this to happen. He moved forward, trying to explain but I yelled at him to stay away. 'I accepted you the way you are yet you didn't! I don't- just stay away from me." I turned on my heel and ran outside, crying. Away from the place that had given me so much happiness yet taken it all away from me. I don't know how far I ran before everything went black. ###Chapter 25 (Part I): Fighting for Myself Sya's POV (2 months later) 'Hannah please! I've already told you, I'm getting a bad feeling about this," I mumbled, scratching my arm. She frowned. 'I don't care. We're doing this and you're not saying no." 'But I'm scared!" I wailed. 'Oh, come on. It'll be alright I promise," Edi said, pulling up the sleeves of his checkered shirt. Last week, I'd told Hannah about what John and Helena had done to my parents. She'd gone into shock for a few minutes before insisting we get them arrested. 'You know we can't get them arrested without proof," I'd told her. 'You're the daughter of a lawyer you should know." She'd groaned before grinning. 'We'll get proof. The scars on your body. And we'll have to get a recording of their confession. Dad will take your case don't worry." After that, there was no stopping her. She'd roped in Edison and the dumb and dumber duo were forcing me to comply with their plan. I kept insisting otherwise but they wouldn't have it. 'We've planned it all already and even if you're not going to say yes, we're going anyway," she crossed her arms over her chest. I stalked to my room and shut the door. I plopped down on the bed, heaving a tired sigh. It had been two months since I'd run out of Kane's house. Two months since I'd last seen him or heard his voice. I had made it clear to him that the way he'd rejected me, I was going to reject him. I dropped all contacts with him. Surprisingly, Hannah did the same to Bryson. I was shocked when I woke up to a weeping Hannah two months ago. She told me how Bryson had never told her his true identity and kept it hidden. She was half shocked she'd been dating a vampire and half angry he didn't tell her so she'd walked out on him as well. Both boys were doing their parts good by not showing up in front of us. They'd even dropped out of college. But that didn't mean we didn't miss them. I missed Kane terribly. But my anger refused to subside too. Hannah, on the other, wasn't sure what to do, and seeing her so stressed out, I asked her to take her time thinking. She couldn't stop crying and her father and grandmother were getting really worried. Hence, we both moved into an apartment near college using the money we could pitch in. Of course, Hannah paid the bigger half but I still put in my monthly rent. I laid on the pillow, feeling sad. These past months had brought me so much happiness but I was done being dependent on him. I wanted to start doing things on my own now. I closed my eyes and sighed. The next morning when I stepped out of my room, Hannah was all dressed up and sitting at the kitchen counter where my dear cousin Edison was busy making breakfast. 'Hey, Sya!" she called out. She was wearing dark jeans and a white strapped crop-top. I smiled and took a seat next to her on the stool. I took an apple and bit it. 'Morning, Sy. You're just in time for Edison's special egg-scrambled," Edi cheered, pulling the pan off the stove. Hannah rolled her eyes and sipped her morning coffee. I laughed and let him put some on a plate for me. 'You're not eating?" I asked Hannah but she shook her head. 'I've already had Koko Krunch," she replied. We had our breakfast but it was mostly Edi talking and Hannah laughing. I rarely participated in their dumb antics. On the bright side, Edi had helped in cheering up Hannah a lot. He'd been here only a week but he'd blended in so well with my best friend. 'Anyway," Hannah turned to me. 'You do remember what today is?" 'What is today?" 'It's D-Day cuz," Edi frowned, shaking his head. 'I'm disappointed." I groaned. 'Why don't you two let it go? It's dangerous!" 'It is not if everything goes according to plan," Edi quipped, getting up and straightening his jacket. Hannah grabbed her car keys and the tiny pen camera recorder she'd gotten a day ago. 'Let's go!" They dragged me into the car and together, the three of us drove off to my old neighborhood, specifically to Helena's house. I suddenly felt adrenaline course through my veins as the tiny 2-story house came into view. I wasn't feeling scared anymore. I was angry. Flashes of what they'd done to me and my parents played through my eyes and suddenly, I wanted revenge. I didn't want to be that scared Sya anymore. One who hid behind Kane. The one who had shut up and accepted death. I wanted to fight them. I wanted to make them beg for forgiveness and then kick them away. Hannah parked the car at a distance and turned to me. 'Sya, you'll go in first. Seeing you they'll react but I'll be in a moment later, recording everything. You have to instigate John into confessing. His mother might try to stop him but you have to keep going. Edi will climb up to John's room to search for clues. We just need enough evidence to get an investigation launched. The rest will be up to my Dad. Okay? I got my pocket knife and you both have yours too." Even though the plan wasn't that solid, it was worth a try. Maybe it would work. Plus, I wanted to have a chance to shout at John all I wanted. I'd never gotten to do that before. All I did was bear what he did to me before eventually running for my life. We got out of the car and walked towards the house. Hannah threw me one last look before softly rapping on the door. 'Who is it?" Helena's rough voice called. She still sounded the same. It had been what, like 4-5 months since I'd last heard or seen her. Hannah nudged me and I answered. 'It's me, Aunt Helena. Sya!" We heard a shuffling behind the door before she thrust it open. Hannah had hidden beside the wall so she wouldn't be seen. I felt for the knife in my jeans pocket. Still there. She smirked, 'Back, aren't we? What happened? Did your boy toy run out of money? Or did he realize what a hopeless burden you are so he dumped you?" I clenched my fists but stopped myself from doing anything stupid. I'd be jeopardizing three lives if I did. She opened the door wider and let me step in. I looked around. It was all the same. The same stingy living room and lounge. John appeared from the kitchen. He smiled viciously when he saw me. 'Well, well, well. Look who's back." I stood in the middle of the living room, my palms sweaty. Come on Sya. You can do this. Think of your parents. Think of their unfair deaths. Think of what these two monsters did to you. 'I know what you two did!" I screamed. I suddenly felt so angry. Enraged. They stilled for a while before Helena barked a laugh. 'What did you find out you little skank?" 'Oh shut up you bitch!" I told her. Her eyes widened. 'Both of you sick fucks are living under the roof you bought after robbing my family and you have the nerve to call me a skank?" They looked at each other before John's frown deepened. He didn't attack me right away, however. 'How dare you talk to my mother like that?! Have you forgotten what I can do?" he shouted, his nostrils flaring. 'I know very well what you can do, you fat pig!" I screamed, letting it all out. 'All you know is how to beat up girls who aren't even your size! Why don't you go find someone the size of Manhatten and pick a fight? Get your stinky ass kicked! Dig a hole and die in it you fucking coward!" He suddenly smirked before laughing. His laughter was getting on my nerves and I wanted to punch his eyeballs. 'So what're you going to do about it?" he sneered, walking closer to me till he was at an inches' distance from my face. I flinched but did not falter. 'You want to hear it? Fine. We hired a hitman to kill your parents. It was us who ordered him to tamper with the brakes of your car. But you, you little bitch got out of there alive. So we kept you around for the deed to the house of your parents. Nobody even likes you enough to keep you around. You should be happy you get food here. We killed them. Your parents. Do you know why? Because they deserved it! Those assholes deserved to have their faces-" I drew my hand back and slapped him across the cheek. As hard as I could. He couldn't even react before I punched him under the eye, making him stumble away from me. A sharp pain shot through my arm but I didn't feel it a bit. It felt satisfying to punch this bastard for once. 'SHUT UP YOU LITTLE FUCK! SHUT UP!" I screamed. He got ready to punch me back when Hannah raced in through the front door. 'Don't you dare touch her!" she shouted, holding up her pocket knife. I hoped her pen had recorded everything. The recorder in my mobile probably had too. I'd turned it on before stepping in. Helena looked panicked. 'You girl! Since when have you been here?" 'Since forever. Don't you dare lay a finger on my best friend!" she grabbed my arm and pulled me away from John. A noise upstairs drew their attention and I mentally groaned. Edison. ###Chapter 25 (Part II): Bryson's Love Hannah's POV: Sya had been doing pretty well, cursing at the people who deserved to be cursed. Even though I'm not a fan of cursing, they deserved every second of it. I stood at the doorway, focusing my camera on what had been going on inside. Since they were all so focused on arguing, they didn't notice me recording everything. I couldn't believe it worked! My plan had worked. That airhead John had spilled everything the moment he'd been instigated. His police connections weren't going to get him or his stupid mother out of this one either. Because my Dad had deeper connections than this moron could ever have had by living as a thug. As soon as she hit him, I ran inside, holding my knife up high. 'Don't you dare touch her!" Helena looked shocked to see me and I knew she was worried about me being a potential witness. I pulled Sya away from John when we all heard something fall upstairs. Edison! John looked panicked. 'Mom, shut the door. Don't let these two get out. I'll go upstairs. Something's fishy here." Helena quickly ran to the door and locked it. I looked at Sya in dread. I did have the knife and the pen was recording everything but I wasn't sure how we were going to fight off this bulky woman without killing her. 'Get out of the way!" I shouted but she stood like a rock in front of the door. John came running down, enraged. 'The files! My phone and laptop! They're all gone!" he turned to us, his eyes slits. 'How dare you do this, you bitches!" I gripped the knife tightly while Sya was trying hard to control herself. 'Pay for what you did John! Apologize!" He took menacing steps towards us. I tried to use my knife but he dodged me and grabbed my wrist in a steely grip, ripping the blade and throwing it on the ground. Then he grabbed me by the neck in a chokehold. I struggled to pry his hand off me but it was no use. He was too strong. 'I'll kill both of you and bury you in such a way people won't even know you existed!" he growled. Sya tried to move but he shoved her away, making her fall to the ground. All my oxygen was deprived and my lungs felt like they were on fire. He pressed his thick fingers deeper into my skin and I was beginning to see dark spots now. The wall beside the front door literally blew open right at that moment. Debris flew into the air, making Helena cough and fall down. A figure stood in the huge gaping hole. John loosened his hand around my throat as he stared at the new intruder in surprise. Maybe horror too. I recognized him right away. Bryson. I could recognize that dirty blonde hair and muscular stature anywhere. He didn't wait for even a second longer before zipping across the room and grabbing John by the collar. Those beautiful green eyes met mine for a split second, as if in slow motion, before he slammed John against the wall by the neck. 'Who told you, you can touch her?!" he raged. I rubbed my neck where he'd held me, letting air in, and stumbled a bit but Sya grabbed me by the shoulders, stabilizing me. 'You okay?" she asked. I nodded before looking back at Bryson and John. John was squirming under Bryson's grasp and was literally turning blue. Bryson was going to kill him! 'Don't Bryson!" I screamed, my voice coming out a bit hoarse. Bryson shoved him to the ground and kicked him in the stomach, making him reel pain. My heart was beating so fast. I was so scared too. Bryson turned to look at me, his face dripped in concern. He walked closer to me, a bit hesitant but nevertheless coming closer than a foots' distance. 'Are you okay?" he asked softly. I couldn't pull away from those eyes. I'd missed him so much. They looked so sad yet concerned. I nodded and he turned to Sya, asking her if she was okay. We heard sirens outside and Edison came running in. He stopped in shock to look at the huge gaping hole in the wall for a moment before looking at us. 'Girls! Are you okay? I brought the police with me!" he shouted, looking all panicky. I shook my head. He really was a monkey. Sya laughed and began walking towards him. 'We're okay, thanks to Bryson." My heart ached whenever I looked at him and I didn't dare to look at his eyes. He, however, had not stopped looking at me since the moment he'd busted in through the wall. When I looked at the hole in the wall, I smiled to myself. These boys and their fancy rescue missions. Kane slammed a guy on a table and Bryson broke the wall when he could've just broken the door. We began to slowly walk out when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my upper arm. 'Ah!" I gasped, my hand immediately going over to it. It had started bleeding. I looked at Helena, whom we had conveniently forgotten about, standing over there with a mad angry face. She'd thrown a sharp piece of broken wood at me. Bryson was beyond mad now. He turned to go and probably smash her head in but I grabbed his arm. He looked at me and I painfully shook my head. 'Don't," I whispered. His eyes fell to all the blood flowing out of my arm. My heart squeezed. I watched, wondering if his eyes would change color or his fangs would sprout but none of that happened. He really was still my Bryson. Me knowing he was a vampire now didn't change anything. I had stopped Bryson from bashing Helena but I couldn't stop Sya from doing so. As the police began running inside, she ran over to her aunt and grabbed her by the hair. 'You bitch! You hag!" she screamed many other profanities unhealthy for a child's ears. Edi had to pull her away. She'd ripped half of Helena's hair off her head, making her half bald, and even kicked her to the ground. Bryson seemed very impressed. 'That was awesome Sya!" he told her once we were outside. 'Thank you, Bryson," Sya answered, doing a fake courtesy. As the police let John and Helena out in handcuffs, we all burst out into laughter. Helena looked really stupid with half of her hair gone. 'All hail queen Sya!" Edi yelled, clapping. We gave all of our collected evidence to the police after that. Bryson had to drive us home since Edi had twisted his wrist when he was in John's room. Once we pulled outside the apartment building, Sya and Edi went in first. I hesitated a bit before turning to him. 'Uh, thank you for today. You came at the right time," I told him as we stood outside the building door. 'You know I'll always be there for you," he replied, making my heart squeeze. He still had that charm. It never went away. And it never failed to sway me either. I turned to go back when he called out. 'I've missed you." I froze. He had missed me? Of course, he'd miss me. I was his mate. Sya had explained to me how this stuff worked over the last two months and I knew I was hurting him. But my dilemma was even bigger. I was a human. An alive one. He'd died. I didn't even know his story. I didn't even know what or how a vampire was truly like. I needed time to wrap my head around things. I was falling into self-doubt and depression and I needed to stabilize myself. 'I don't know if you did or not but I did. A lot. So much," he continued. I turned around to look at him. My heart was beating so loud I bet he could hear it too. 'I've missed you too," I found myself saying. It was the truth. 'No matter how many times I say it, I know it is not going to justify what I did but I'll still say it until it does. I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry," his voice sounded so pained and hurt. I suddenly didn't feel that angry anymore. Nor was I scared of him. 'It's okay. You don't have to apologize anymore," I told him, a small smile on my face. He gave me a small smile before his gaze fell to the cut on my arm and the scars on my wrists. 'Hey," he whispered, gently taking my arm in his hands. I flinched because apparently, touching the skin around the arm hurts the huge gash. He mistook it as me flinching by his touch and he moved back, looking really hurt. 'You're scared I'll attack you, aren't you?" No, no, no, no. 'Listen Brys-" He opened his mouth and a pair of fangs grew out of his mouth. His eyes turned to a deep shade of green too. His vampire form. 'This is me, Hannah. This is the monster you've been dating for months. But, no matter how much I want, I can't change." I'd thought I'd be scared. I'd be scared of him when he'd look like this. But I wasn't. Not even a bit. I still felt safe around him. I walked closer to him, a fascinated smile on my face. 'I don't see you as a monster, Bryson. I have never." I raised one hand and placed it on his cheek. He closed his eyes, leaning into my palm. It looked as if he'd been dying to feel my touch. As if he was desperate for this to happen. 'I admit it took me a while to come to terms with the real you," I heaved a heavy sigh. 'But I've never once considered you a monster. I know we are different. And that you must be at least a hundred years old." I chuckled at that. My boyfriend was really old. He opened his eyes again, looking at me with a new hope in his eyes, 'So you're not afraid of me? You don't think I'm a monster?" 'Of course I don't silly!" I smiled, caressing his cheek with my thumb. 'I just needed some time to accept all this." 'So, can I ask you to be my girlfriend again?" he whispered. I pulled my hand back and pretended to think for a moment. The growing anxiety on his face seemed so comical yet it pinched my heart. He loved me so much. 'But you can't kiss me with those fangs. They'll surely puncture my pretty lips," I laughed. He didn't get it because he was so nervous. He did make them disappear though, his fangs. His green eyes came back. 'W-Wha-? Does this mean-?" he trailed off, not sure if I'd said yes or no. I stepped on my tip-toes and pecked his soft lips. God, it felt so nice to feel him after so long. I didn't pull away. I couldn't. And neither could he. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. And like that, I got my Bryson back. 'You're my Bryson for me. Just mine." I did ask him later about how he knew where we were. He only smirked and said a little birdie had told him. Edi. ###Chapter-26: Killing Himself Sya's POV: (6 months later) "One minute! I'm coming!" I shouted before taking a last glance at myself in the mirror. My outfit for today was kind of cute. I was wearing a pretty jean jumpsuit and white sneakers. All bought with my own money. I grabbed my bag and rushed outside. Hannah was standing at the door with an angry, impatient look on her face, tapping her foot against the hard floor and glancing at her watch frequently. When I closed the door behind me, a sheepish smile on my face, she looked up and slapped her arms to her sides in exasperation. "Finally! You should have listened to me and slept last night. And now, we're going to be late for our first class," she shook her head tiredly before walking out the door. "Sorry but you know I didn't do the assignment beforehand and it was due today!" I whined, pulling out the Granola Bar from my bag to munch on. I followed my best friend as she stepped into the lift and pressed the button. She always dressed well for college if you ask me. She was wearing a dark red top with a sweetheart neckline and a pleated skirt. Her hair was tied into a high ponytail with a red ribbon. 'People usually finish their assignments days before submission, Sy," she told me as we exited the building and climbed into her car. 'Not me. I'm not people," I shrugged. She shook her head before putting the key into the ignition and pulling the car out. Life had been kinder to me these past few months. After that day at my aunt's house, she and her filthy son got arrested. True to Hannah's word, her Dad took on the case and made sure no amount of connections could get the two out of there. Both John and Aunt Helena were charged with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and assault as well as domestic abuse, potential kidnapping, and forgery. The court judge also ordered an inquiry into John's illegal police connections and some drug racket he was into. That guy had more scandals than the freckles on my face. I gave my testimony in court as well as showed my scarred body to them as evidence. All in all, the forged documents regarding my parents' wealth were retrieved and my parents' house was given back to me as well. I put it up for sale because I didn't want to leave this town and began saving up for University. I really wasn't going to spend it all on wardrobe and cosmetics. Hannah and Bryson had gotten back together and I was glad she was happy again. Seeing her smile was a real joy for me. Edi started his own motorcar business and moved out of the apartment 4 months ago. Apparently, living with two girls was making him 'girly". Life had been too good to me. I was happy and content but the deep void in my heart was still there. I'd enrolled for an Artificial Intelligence course and college was going good too. I'd kept my part-time job because I got along with everybody at the café so well. There was only one thing missing. Kane. It had been months since Bryson and Kane had dropped out of college. Bryson didn't want to make me feel uncomfortable by showing up in front of me over and over again. I asked him not to let Kane contact me ever again. And he had stayed true to his words. But that didn't mean I didn't miss him. I missed him even today and I would probably for the rest of my life. I'd pushed aside his thoughts and focused on choosing a career but a strange ache in my heart would never let me forget him. I know some people might think I was over-reacting but I still remembered that night crystal clear. The fear and pain I felt when the car crashed. The agony of loneliness and the abuse I suffered all those years. Only if he hadn't left me there. I guess he didn't expect me to live back then. Was I that much of a nuisance? I didn't want to know the answer. Anyway, in order to not think too much about this, I took up extra subjects. They included Astronomy and Hieroglyphics. For fun and since I could pay for them now. Hannah came to college with me but left with Bryson almost every day. Not going to lie, I sometimes felt a pang of jealousy whenever I saw them together. She was already perfect. He completed her. I, on the other hand, was beginning to feel I was being unnecessarily stubborn but then again, I'd loved Kane too much to forgive him this easily. The fact that he rejected me because he thought I was 'weak and pathetic" had hit me hard. I'd coughed it all out of Stella who had to tell me since she had no other choice. I walked out of Astronomy and followed Hannah to the parking lot after meeting her near the entrance. She handed me the car keys. 'Here. Drive yourself back. Bryson's here," she told me. 'Haven't you guys been hanging out a lot lately?" I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. She gave me a sheepish smile, 'We're making up for the two months we lost." I smiled, 'I'm just teasing. Go on, have fun." 'I'll walk with you. He's parked near to ours." I nodded and we walked over to Hannah's dark blue SUV at the near end of the parking lot. I could see Bryson, looking all dapper in jeans and a white shirt, leaning against the hood of his and Kane's black SUV. It reminded me of how he saved me at the café that night and then on the road after I'd run from Elijah. As we neared, Bryson kissed Hannah's cheek and gave me a slight nod. His eyes, however, lingered over me for a minute too long. He spoke to Hannah and she left to sit in the car. Then he turned to me. 'Hey Sya," he began, a little hesitant. I frowned. 'What is it?" 'It's about," he paused, shifting nervously from one foot to another before sighing and just saying it. 'It's Kane. He's in a terrible condition Sya. Ever since you refused to see him again, he's been starving himself." I felt my heart drop. 'What do you mean?" I asked. 'I know he was wrong in rejecting you first but he's killing himself as a punishment for that. Slowly and painfully!" he exclaimed, sorrow evident in his eyes. 'I know he deserves the pain he's been going through but Sya, I know you've loved him during your time together. I know you have. Please, I beg of you, save my best friend from dying. His life is in your hands. He's given himself to you. You are his love. His 'Rejected Love"." He turned his head sideways to compose himself before getting inside his car to leave. I dragged myself to my own and sat inside, heart pounding and mind a mess. Did I really not care if Kane died? Would I really punish him for life? Will I? Tears brimmed into my eyes as I remembered how he'd saved me from Elijah, from John and his mother, from that vampire in the alley, from those boys at the café. How he'd taken care of me when I needed it and sheltered me. I started the car and pulled out of the college parking lot, my mind still whirring. Will my heart not care if Kane lost his life and I wouldn't have him anymore? My foot pressed on the accelerator harder, the car picking up speed. 'No! He has to live. He needs to live because I need him! Because I love him even now." I yelled, speeding up even more. He's not dying. No way. He made the choice to reject me all on his own without my say. He couldn't choose to die without me having a say in that either! The car tore through the forest and I stopped outside the familiar house, tears staining my face. I was seeing it more than half a year later yet it felt like I'd walked in there only yesterday. I got out of the car and ran inside. The front door was open so I just ran inside and down the hall. His room door was shut tightly. I took a deep breath before pushing it open.