Hey peoples! So here is another chapter. Not much more to go from here. Things might get busy so I might not be able to update in the future. Just a heads up but I will try to get the chapters done faster to avoid that. Enjoy!
I sat on my bed, tugging Owen into a sitting position next to me. I couldn't get the words out to tell him everything that happened recently so a few minutes passed in silence.
"Abby, its ok, just tell me," Owen spoke up. He lifted a hand and placed it comfortingly on my cheek. I held it there before shaking my head and pushing it off.
"No Owen, it's not ok. What happened to me…it's hard to explain. I'm finding it hard to believe. I want to tell you but I'm scared. It isn't something I can just say. You might not even believe me," I tried to explain. He sighed.
"Does it have to do with your dad not going out anymore? Or the fact that you're sitting here in darkness and almost attacked me when I came in? You know I had a key," he stated in a calm but quiet tone.
"Yes, I know that, but how do you know about my father?" I asked.
"He hasn't gone out for a drink in two days. That's unbelievable as it is," he replied. I cursed mentally knowing if Owen figured that out then others in the complex might have too. It was time for me to explain.
"I can see perfectly whether the lights are on or off. I looked sick the other night because I didn't get anything to…eat, but that's the same reason why my father isn't around," I replied haltingly. I cringed away from him as the guilt started to get to me again.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked. I could hear insecurity in his voice.
"Owen, don't you get it? I killed my father for food," I explained bluntly. My voice cracked and tears fell.
"What?" Owen exclaimed as he shot to his feet. I didn't blame him.
"I need blood to survive. Ever since I was attacked by something that looked like a kid but wasn't. When I woke up, that was all I wanted; blood. My father was the first victim. I didn't mean to but I couldn't stop it," I told him as I cried silently.
"So that fight…" he trailed off. I could see that his eyes were wide with fear and realization. It hurt seeing him like this; knowing I would probably lose him forever. He backed towards the door and bumped into it. I stood slowly.
"I'm so sorry Owen. Please forgive me. I don't want to hurt anyone but I have to if I want to survive," I pleaded.
"Would you hurt me?" he asked shakily.
"I almost wanted to that night in our room, but I couldn't do it," I replied honestly.
"I have to go," he stated with a quiver in his tone. I watched him fumble for the knob before throwing open the door and walking out briskly. A moment later the front door slammed. I flinched at the sound and sat back down. The only thing going through my mind was the loss of the last person I had in the world. Owen never knocked on the wall the rest of the night. He didn't try to communicate with me the next night either. I spent my time covering the rest of the windows so I had time to get to the bathroom without getting caught in the sun wherever I was in the house. Any calls to the house went unanswered. By the time I woke up the night after that I knew enough time had passed. The time to leave was fast approaching. I had to at least let Owen know I would be leaving.
He deserved to know even though I was sure he wouldn't want to come near me. I ran to my room to find clean clothes and then took a shower. I left in a worn hoodie and jeans. No shoes or socks or a jacket, just how I liked it. I raised my hand to knock on his door but it opened before I had a chance. Owen stood on the other side dressed to go out. I dropped my hand and looked down to avoid his stare. I still felt his eyes on me though.
"I was just about to go see you," he mumbled. I glanced at him before looking away again.
"You were?" I replied with some disbelief. I had hoped he still cared for me but I didn't want to get my hopes up. He nodded and leaned on the door frame.
"Yeah, I wanted to check on you. To make sure you weren't too guilty to at least…you know, well I don't like the idea but I wouldn't want you to starve either," he muttered. I watched him scuff his shoe with his other nervously.
"Thank you," I replied in a whisper. I didn't know what else to say.
"No problem," he responded. It was silent for a moment before he stood straight and pushed the door open wider. I looked up curiously. He backed out of the way so I could go in. I took a step and then halted. My instincts sprung from my mind, warning me not to go forward. I took a step back and shook my head. His eyebrows furrowed questioningly.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I can't go in," I answered.
"Why not; is something blocking you?" he questioned.
"No, I just don't feel right entering," I responded with some confusion. I thought back to when I first came home. My father had let me in and the times after that was when he was already gone so maybe it didn't matter anymore. My idea seemed reasonable so I voiced it.
"Maybe you should invite me in," I told him. He studied me a little longer before nodding.
"You can come in," he stated. I looked him in the eye when he said it. I slowly stepped forward and passed the threshold. My instincts didn't warn me this time.
"What would happen if I didn't invite you in?" Owen wondered.
"I don't know, but the way I felt suggested it couldn't have been good," I said gravely. I walked forward, careful not to get too close to him. I resolved to keep my distance until he felt comfortable. He shut the door and followed me into the living room.
"Owen, why are you doing this? It's only going to make it harder for me when I have to leave. Do you care for me anymore at all or are you just testing me?" I said with some irritation. I turned to face him but didn't meet his eyes.
"No, I really did want to see you Abby. I miss you. Why would you leave?" he asked.
"I can't stay. I have no one to guide me and when they find out my father is…missing, they will look for me. I can't let them find me. I have to make it look like I went missing too. It's the only way to stay safe. They won't understand otherwise," I explained forlornly.
"But you can't go. I…I still love you. I will always love you. You were the first person in my life to care for me; my first friend. The first person I've come to care about too. The only one I will ever go to for help, comfort, or advice. I don't want you to go," he responded with a tone heavy with despondency. I allowed a small smile and turned away.
"I still love you too," I whispered. I heard him take a few steps and then his arms were around my waist. He rested his head on my shoulder and hugged me close.
"I'm not afraid anymore. Stay with me," he mumbled in my ear.
"I don't want to leave you," I told him truthfully.
"Then don't," he replied.
"I won't," I said as I heaved a sigh. He kissed my cheek and tightened his hold before releasing me. I turned to look at him. He looked close to crying but he still had a smile. I laid a hand on his cheek and he closed his eyes.
"I have to go now. I'll stop by sometime later, ok?" I said quietly. He nodded and took the hand on his cheek into his own.
"Come back soon. Don't worry about my mom. She'll be gone the rest of the night," he said. I gripped his hand before pulling away. I walked to the door and let myself out, refusing to look back at him as I left.