Chapter 12: Crazy

I stared at the gun, now poised in Chloe's direction. "No, no, no. Please don't." I was begging him in a whisper. "I hated her for choosing Elizabeth; don't make me hate you too. I'll hate you for choosing her over me, like so many people did. Elizabeth did those things to me while she knew I had no one to turn to. No friends, no family. I was bullied for being who I am. Don't."

He growled. "I'm not weak. I'm not weak."

I studied him carefully. His eyes looked faraway yet, focused, angry and hurt, determined and uncertain. "You would be stronger as to do what you know is right," I enunciated slowly and carefully. "You know what it's like to be completely alone, hated for who you are. I can see it in your eyes. I don't believe you're weak; don't let her tell you what you are."

"You are weak; seemingly you can't handle to point and pull the trigger. As it's the only thing keeping you away from what is yours." Elizabeth snarled.

"I AM NOT WEAK!" Devin pulled the trigger. Once, twice, three times, I watched as the bullets buried themselves in Chloe's unconscious body. I wish I could say I felt nothing; that I believed Chloe deserved being murdered. I wish I could say I hate her, anything to keep the realization from settling.

Chloe was gone, in two split seconds. I felt numb. My heart pounded in my ear. My stomach dropped to my shoes. All I could hear was myself thinking; she's gone. I love her. And now she's gone. It echoed in my head. Then I wished I was numb again. Horror filled me, agony washed over me, but most of all, hatred burned in me.

Devin was still staring at Chloe's still body. Elizabeth smiled in triumph. That's what did it. I cracked.

"Well? Emily's turn now!" Elizabeth sang. Tears threaten to spill; I blinked them back.

As Devin began to turn, I lunged at him, toppling him over in surprise. Every emotion I had gone through, that was afflicted on me by Elizabeth's selfish actions, was translated into strength, instinct, and adrenaline.

The ugly duckling learned to fight back.

I heard shots being fired carelessly, but none hit me. I heard Elizabeth yelling at Devin. Devin was getting over the shock now, gaining ground.

There was only one thing I could do now. I grabbed his gun and yanked as hard as I could. Suddenly, I was flung backwards, gun in hand. Pain erupted at the parts of me that hit the wall and floor, which was everywhere. Black shapes swam in my vision. Right now I felt it would be so easy to give in to the pain. But, when hasn't it been?

I fought to stay conscious as I stood, and held my ground. Elizabeth laughed. "Look at you. You look worse than the first time I stopped feeding you."

She didn't notice Devin staring at her in horror. He finally realized I told him the truth. "You actually did all those things?" A pause "Elizabeth, answer me!" he snapped

She smiled at him in a bittersweet way. "Oh no, our little angel Emily here would never lie. I did enough of that for both of us. But it doesn't matter now; you can kill her with your bare hands, she probably doesn't even know how to use that gun."

Then I saw the same hatred I felt burning in his eyes, as his stared at her with revulsion. Devin pulled his fist out of nowhere and threw it into her stomach. She doubled down and I stayed frozen. Devin wrapped his arm around her neck and squeezed.

"Stop," My voice trembled. I barely know what I was saying or why; I don't remember thinking that word before saying it. All I know is death, death, death. Chloe's had been enough for me, at least the emotions that followed. I don't care if it was the president of the world's neck in the clutches of Devin's arm or a man sentenced to death for an endless criminal record; another death thrown in my face, I couldn't take it. "STOP!"

"Emily, why the hell, would you want me to stop? She did those horrible things to you," his arm tightened around her neck. "She is going to pay."

My heart quickened as I raised the gun, to the temple of my own head. My throat tightened. "Don't kill her. I'd rather die than face another death."

He stared at me, but didn't let go. I cocked the gun, tears streaking down my face.

He let go of Elizabeth and I put down the gun but it was still in my reach. Elizabeth collapsed and I hear her rasping for breath. Devin stares at me. "Why didn't you let me kill her?"

"Why did you let go?" I counter.

"If you died, and...i barely know you...it would be on my head." He mummers.

"Her death would be on my head too." I smiled at him through my tears. "You're strong for not killing her; strong for stepping away from revenge."

He shrugged and I saw his eyes glaze slightly with tears. "I killed Chloe. I loved her before, you know. And you hate Elizabeth and you didn't let me kill her." Another shrug, then an insane laugh followed. "You're crazy"

I laughed too, and tried to pretend I couldn't hear the crack in his voice, and feel the tears on my cheek.