Inconsolable – Chapter 3: The Discovery

Chloe snuck out into the main room in search of food. She was starving. She had no clue what time it was, only that it was still light outside. Not by much, though. The trees surrounded most of the space around the cabin, but Chloe could still see the sun through the trees if she looked out her window.

The fact that she had to look out her window to see the scenery around ticked her off a bit. Every time she made it near the door, Alek would always be there to tell her she wasn't going anywhere. It was like he had some sort of Chloe-goes-off-of-perimeter radar. She rolled her eyes at her thoughts and opened the fridge, the light of it illuminating the room.

"Hungry?" Chloe spun around to see Alek standing near the wall of the kitchen. Thought everything was actually kind of one room in this place. The bedrooms were the only rooms with legit doorways. She looked at his face, something she hadn't really saw it in days. Jasmine left almost a week ago, checking in less than frequently. Alek usually told her what was up, but they hadn't spoken much besides that. He angled his glance towards the ground so she couldn't really see him. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"A bit," she admitted with a shrug. She turned back to the open fridge and bent down to search around, moving around some of the stuff. Just about the only contents in there condiments and things that don't expire quickly. Nothing that's exactly meal worthy.

"Jasmine had someone drop off a few things earlier. Just boxed stuff for easy meals." Chloe heard his footsteps come towards her turned herself up straight, a little quickly. He didn't seem to noticed and kept walking to her right where the pantry was and opened it up. Sure enough, there were boxes of Ramen, macaroni and cheese, soups, and a few different kinds of rice. Chloe felt her stomach surge with a bigger hunger. She smiled, almost completely forgetting Alek was there, and reached over for some Ramen. When she turned to go to the sink for water, she almost walked right into Alek.

"Sorry," she whispered and passed by him. He didn't say anymore and she took that as a good sign. She filled up a pot and took three packets of the soup for both her and Alek. She figured he was hungry, too.

She placed the filled pot on the electric burner and turned the nob to high, wanting the water to boil faster. When she turned and rested her hip against the counter, she noticed Alek was still standing there. She bit her lip. He just stared at her. "Anything I can help you with . . . ?" she trailed off. He didn't move, just continued staring. She fought the urge to blush and stared back at him, waiting for him to say something. He never did. It wasn't until Chloe heard the roar of the boiling water did she break their connection and wrapped her hands around the packages, the sound of them crinkling beneath her fingertips making Alek's eyes flicker. He cleared his throat and cursed himself for doing whatever he just did.

"I'm making enough for the both of us if you're hungry," Chloe told Alek as she stirred the blocks of noodles into the pot. She emptied the powdered broth into the water, too, and stirred it all in. She noted the silence from Alek and turned her head to see him, but saw that he wasn't there. She shook her head with a small smile, almost feeling a little bit normal.

By the time the food was done, Chloe was ready to pig out on her steaming bowl of soup. She made another and stuck it into the microwave for Alek, planning on letting him know at some point. She dug her fork into the soup like always, eating the noodles and then drinking the broth afterwards. The second she had the food in her mouth, she felt like this bowl was better than any gourmet meal she'd ever eaten. She hummed with a smiled and devoured the soup in minutes. Once she was done, she set the empty in the sink and walked to the short hallway, towards the door that held Alek's room.

She hesitated knocking. Just because he wasn't yelling at her and she wasn't crying her eyes out didn't mean that they were back to being friends. At all. She knew he still had some negative feelings for her. She also felt the word "negative" was an understatement. She sucked in a deep breath and gave a quiet thump to the wood. She listened in but couldn't hear much. She knocked again, a little louder this time.

"What?" Alek opened the door, looking a little annoyed. Chloe closed her eyes and pursed her lips, wanting so badly to just run away from this moment. And he'd only said a single word.

"I made you some food, too. I put a bowl of soup in the microwave and it should still be hot," she told him. "Or at least warm." She added. She looked away from him and glanced at the floor, it now becoming very interesting.

"I'm not hungry," he went to shut the door, but Chloe wedged her foot before it could close all of the way.

"I haven't seen you eat since we got here, Alek." Chloe pointed out softly. She didn't want him to yell, she was only trying to make sure he was still taking care of myself.

"I've eaten plenty," was all he said before shooing Chloe's foot with his own and closing the door softly. Chloe sighed and made her way to the couch. It was true, about him not eating. She hadn't seen him go near the kitchen since they got in and there haven't been any dishes in the sink besides her own. The thought of Alek not eating and potentially hurting himself made her feel sick. It's not like she could make him eat though.

In a way, he even looked the part of someone who hasn't been eating. Though, he wasn't sleeping much either. It was like he just didn't care anymore. His skin was paler – even if it has only been a week, it was noticeable – and anyone could notice the dark colored bags under his eyes. Chloe shook her head. There wasn't anything she could do anyways. Before she could detain herself to her thoughts any longer, the cell phone that Jasmine had left for them started ringing. Since Alek wasn't in the room, she figured she could answer. She picked it up off of the coffee table and hit the little green button.

"Hello?" Chloe started, almost forgetting the fact that it might not be Jasmine.

"Hey," sure enough, it was. "How's it goin'?"

"Well, I guess. What's going on up there?" Chloe heard Jasmine pause before speaking, like she was almost hesitant.

"We, uh, we found something out. About who killed you and Mimi." She took another pause and Chloe held her breath. "Before I left, you told me that the guy who was doing all the talking said his name was Whitley. Correct?"

"Y-yeah," Chloe stuttered, feeling herself shiver at the memory. She bit her lip.

"His full name is Whitley Rezza, Chloe." Chloe's eyebrows drew together in confusion. Rezza? So familiar . . . She couldn't think of how she knew that name. But she knew it was definitely one she heard before.

"Why does that name ring a bell?" she asked, hoping Jasmine would know the answer. Said girl took a deep breath and Chloe was almost scared to know why she was being so cautious.

"The name Rezza sounds familiar because of Brian Rezza, Whitely's son." Jasmine rushed in a whisper and Chloe almost dropped the phone.

"N-no! You said he was dead Jasmine!" Chloe shouted into the phone, feeling like hitting the nearest object.

"Chloe, I'm so sorry. We thought he was!" Jasmine tried to reason with her, but Chloe didn't want to hear it. She ended the call and chucked the phone across the room, not caring if it broke into pieces. Chloe went for the front door, needing to get out of the captivation she was in, but a hand wrapped around her small wrist.

"What happened?" Alek asked her. She almost broke down. His voice, the way asked her what was wrong, it reminded her of the way he used to be. The way they used to be. She ripped her wrist from his grasp, regretting it when she felt the pain it brought.

"Brian and Whitley Rezza." She stated and turned to face him. She had tears that were begging to come trailing down her face, but she brought her left hand up and rubbed her eyes so hard she saw white. When she opened them back up, she saw the blanch in Alek's color. "They did it. To Mimi and me. They killed us."

Chloe didn't wait to hear or see Alek's response before opening the door and running outside, and not stopping for miles.


When Chloe finally decided she needed to get back to the cabin, it was dark. The sun was almost completely set and she could see the faint pink-purple outline in the sky through the trees. She's been crying, screamed once or twice, hit a few trees, only to be left with bloody knuckles and a wet, cold face. Her throat was raw from constricting so much and her hands throbbed. She wanted to sleep now that every ounce of energy was drained from her.

On her walk back to the cabin, she let her thoughts drift to the reason of her distraught state. Brian Rezza. She felt her heart twist in knots.

Brian Rezza was the cause of all pain in her life. The pain of her first death, first betrayal, and worst of all, first heartbreak. Chloe felt her eyes prickle and her stomach surge with that all familiar pain. He made her feel special and he treated her like every girl wants a boy to treat her; like she was the only one he saw. Little did she know at that time, he was only getting close to her because Whitley was trying to find out if she really was the Uniter.

Chloe didn't know a single thing about the Mai at the time, only that a very cute boy in college seemed to see more than everyone else. Her bottom lip trembled as more tears rushed down her cheeks. As much as she hated Brian Rezza, he was also her first love and she would never forget him. She only thought about all the pain he caused her. He took her out on dates, kissed her goodnight – on the cheek of course – and called her at least once a week just to say hello. Chloe still wondered to this day if Brian felt more than he led on. Maybe he grew attracted to her as time went on. She scoffed at her own thoughts; of course he never really liked her. He was only doing his father's dirty work.

The last time she saw Brian, he had taken her on a date around San Francisco. They just looked around and tour sites and had fun. Chloe swore that would be the best day of her life. That was until they made it to the top of Coit Tower. As she walked closer to the lodge, she let her thoughts wander to that horrible day.

"I can only hope you've been enjoying our day together, Chloe. I know I have." Brian held her in his arms as they looked out over the view from Coit Tower. She smiled and curled into Brian's chest, loving the way he held her. The warmth spread through her body as he laid a kiss on her temple.

"This has been one of the best days of my life. Thank you," she blushed under his gaze as he smiled fully. Then his eyes took a darker turn. His smiled became cold and Chloe pulled away swiftly. "I-is everything okay?" she asked tentatively.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," he shook his head as he walked closer to her until she was standing right against one of the open windows.

"Brian, I'm gonna fall if you keep coming closer," she warned in a hush voice. His smile only grew and Chloe knew then, that she was in trouble.

"Oh, Chloe," he reached out to grab her arm, being anything but gentle. "Such a shame it has to be this way. You are a very beautiful girl. If it weren't for the circumstances, we could be something. Sadly, you're one of them." Brian hissed and gave her a shove, leaning her backwards out the window. Her scream caught in her throat.

"What are you talking about, Brian?" she squeaked out. The tears were coming down her face as he pushed her farther.

"Don't you dare act to dumb. You know exactly what you are. You and your race have been destroying humanity for centuries now. I'm doing the only thing I can do; killing the one person that can save them. By killing their Uniter, their savior. " He paused, his eyes shining in the fading sunlight. He gave her one last disgusting smile. "Goodbye, Chloe."

And then she was falling. Then her body made contact with the pavement. Then she woke up.

Jasmine and Alek found her the next week, hearing that a Mai fell off of Coit Tower with the same description of Chloe. They had to figure out how to pull her in before they could actually make a move. Alek confronted Chloe in the hallway, asking her to sit with him in the library for lunch. She agreed and they met, he had a book already opened and showed Chloe a few things. She was glad for the distraction and let Alek explain all about this historical fiction.

The minute he said the words "ancient race", her mind sped to what happened with Brian.

"What are they called, exactly?" Chloe wondered shyly. Alek was one of the most popular kids in school and he was going on and on about this book and this race of cat-like people. It seemed odd to her.

"Mai," he seemed quiet himself, almost like he was keeping something from her. "You know, people actually think they're real. That they've been living on Earth since forever ago." He leaned closer to her, and Chloe tensed. She closed her eyes and waiting for something. She didn't know what. Another attack, maybe.

What she didn't expect was Alek placing his arm around her shoulder to flip a page in the book. When she heard the turn of the page, she opened her eyes and looked down at it. The heading on the page was "Our Uniter, Our Savior" and Chloe gasped heavily, making Alek jump away from her. Brian had said almost the said exact thing. She turned to Alek, a fire in her eyes that made his widen.

Her pupils dilated, not that she noticed, into black slits and her eye color changed to a golden color that only made Alek smile. He knew it. She stood from her chair quickly, making it fall backwards and gave Alek the hardest glare she could muster.

"If you or Brian ever come near me again, so help me, you will regret it." She hissed with venom in her voice and Alek came out of his state of happiness. Chloe started walking away, but Alek grabbed her arm. She turned, her claws coming out and slapped him hard. He snapped back, holding a hand to his face. When he pulled it away, there was blood. "Stay away from me!" she hissed again. Before she could walk away, he spun her around pushed her against one of the wooden aisles. She gasped, her claws retracting and eyes flickering back to their normal selves.

"I'm trying to help you," he hissed quietly, but there was nothing rude about it. She noticed that he almost seemed to be pleading with her. She glanced into his eyes, only to notice the way they almost looked like a cats. She didn't gasp, but let her eyes widen. The weird part was, she didn't feel threatened. She didn't know why, but she felt like there was a reason the two of them were her in that moment. That maybe she was just like him. She swallowed the forming lump in her throat and blinked. When she opened her eyes again, they were just like his. He smiled.

"We're alike, Chloe. Me and you." His voice held a whisper, accent ringing out into her ears almost like a melody. "As long as I can help it, Brian will never touch you again." Chloe did gasp this time forever, eyes feeling heavy. Alek pulled away from being so close, but kept his hands on her shoulders.

"How did you –" he cut her off.

"We know more than you think. Brian Rezza pushed you, yeah?" he asked, already knowing the answer. She could only nod as she closed her eyes, not wanting to cry in front of Alek. She took a deep breath and he gave her shoulder a squeeze. "He won't be here much longer, Chloe. You won't be in danger anymore, I promise you that."

She didn't know what did it. Maybe his reassurance, maybe his voice. All she knew was seconds later she was crying her eyes out as he held her tight.

Alek lived up to his promise for a few days later, Brian Rezza was dead. Or so they thought. Apparently he was never dead. Thinking back on those two memories she didn't know which one got to her more; Brian or Alek's. She missed Alek with everything she was, but Brian was the first person she ever really liked. Or, as shameful as she felt about it, loved. She wanted all of this to end and she wanted it to end now. She shook her head and continued walking.


The minute Chloe came back to the house, she was met with Alek's cold glare. He didn't say anything, just stared. He had to let her in because he still wouldn't give her the passcode to get in.

"Stop looking at me like that," she told him, her voice quiet. He didn't react. "We both know finding that out isn't easy for me. Don't look at me like I broke the law. I don't need that from you." Her voice broke again and she turned her head in fear of breaking down completely. "I won't do it again. I won't bother you anymore. I'm just gonna go to my room. Okay?" Chloe looked back up at Alek, seeing that his glare wasn't intense. He stayed silent a few moments before responding.

"Okay." He looked her once over, almost checking for injuries. She tried to go passed him and walk to her room when he grabbed a hold of one of her hands. She saw him swallow as if he were holding back words. He looked up at her and she held his stare.

"I'm fine. I punched a few things." She almost laughed and she was surprised with herself. He gave a short nod and let her go.

"Just make sure to wipe them off so they don't get infected." She didn't face him, just gave a nod and walked to her room, shutting the door behind her. So maybe they were getting somewhere.

After taking a short nap, Chloe left her room in need of a drink. She was just about to pass Alek's room when she heard the muffled sound of crying. She almost collapsed. Now, obviously he wasn't shouting and sobbing in hysterics, but Chloe could hear it due to the fact that she was Mai. If she were just a human, she probably wouldn't have noticed.

Still, to even hear the sound of Alek's quivering breaths and erratic heartbeat made her go crazy on the inside. She was a girl, but she felt like it was always nice to have someone there when she cried. Plus, Alek and her weren't on the friendliest terms so it probably wasn't the best decision to go knock and asked if he needed a crying buddy. She bit her lip, wishing she could help him somehow. She walked passed his door and the wooden floor beneath her creaked. Damn it! She cursed herself and stayed as still as possible. Too late.

She heard the sound of Alek holding his breath and his crying stop. She prepared herself for him to come and start yelling at her for spying on him, but he never did. In fact, his crying continued only moments later. She let out a breath and kept walking towards the kitchen when she noticed the phone back on the table. She needed to apologies to Jasmine. She didn't do anything wrong. She picked up and phone and hit call on the only number in the contacts.

"Hello?" Jasmine answered, sounded as good as ever.

"It's Chloe," she paused and Jasmine said nothing. "I am so sorry about earlier, Jas. I just – you know how he makes me." Chloe reasoned with her and Jasmine laughed lightly.

"Chloe, I'm not mad at you. I kind of guessed you wouldn't be jumping up and down with happiness." Chloe smiled. "Alek told me you left after you hung up." Her smile faltered.

"Before you start yelling at me about how stupid it was, I didn't do anything stupid. I just couldn't stay in here without hitting something. Or someone." She heard Jasmine sigh and knew she wasn't going to get off easy with this one.

"I didn't tell mom, so it's not like you're in trouble. I just don't want anything more happening to you. We all need to just take a second to breathe before we throw ourselves into the arms of danger." Chloe nodded in agreement, and quickly realized Jasmine couldn't see her.

"Yeah, I know. I feel the same way." Chloe hushed her voice. "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course," Jasmine said honestly. Chloe bit her lip.

"I don't think Alek's been eating. At all. I haven't seen him eat a single thing and I even made him food." She heard Jasmine's intake of breath. "Now, I know I can't really do much about it, but I'm worried. I don't want him hurting himself."

"You're right," Jasmine said after a few seconds. "There isn't anything you can do about it." Chloe closed her eyes and rested her cheek against the cool wall. "Just let him do what he wants for now. He won't let himself get hurt, Chlo." Chloe sighed and told Jasmine she would. "Can I talk to him real quick actually?" Chloe pursed her lips.

"He's a little busy right now," she gave as an excuse. She didn't really want to go announcing that Alek was crying to everyone she knew.

"Well, tell him to call me later. Or I guess I'll just call tomorrow, I'm pretty tired."

"Will do, Jas." Chloe and Jasmine said their goodbyes and Chloe grabbed a cold water bottle from the fridge, taking a sip after breaking the cap open. She walked back to her room and noticed Alek's door was open the bathroom was shut. Just as she walked passed said bathroom, it opened and there stood Alek. He looked horrible. Chloe noticed his blotchy red face, dirty blonde hair that was anything but neat, and bloodshot eyes that were staring right at her. He almost looked embarrassed. Chloe looked away immediately and made her way to the room, but not before hearing Alek mumble something.

"I just miss her," he said softly. Chloe froze dead in her tracks. She didn't turn around to face him but she heard his door shut. And that was that.


Aaaand it's over. So. Hah.

I tried to give a little more insight on their past so let me know how I did. I also want to say sorry for the lack of update, but school is most definitely kicking me butt. I'm taking more honors classes, more extracurricular stuff, and two math courses. So yeah. I haven't had much time to write. I'm hoping to get some work done this weekend on Thin Line Between Love and Hate so if you're a fan of that story, the wait won't be much longer. Anywho, please review and tell me how I'm doing. Love you guys and thank you all for the support on this story so far!

~Maria xoxo