Here is chapter 12! I've literally been freaking out about this chapter. I had a serious case of writer's block... But I think I'm all good now.

Leila is really going through a lot. It's hard to describe, but i tried my best :p

Bum ba da dummm. Chapter 12. Enjoy!

Chapter 12- Fallen Between the Cracks

Leila,

I couldn't stay longer, I would put you in danger. I need you to know that I am safe, and I really do love you. But I can't risk you. I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride. Please, don't come looking for me. I am going to turn myself in to the sirens. They are threatening to hurt you, and I can't let that happen.

Maybe one day, you can find love again. You gave me something I thought never to exist.

I love you, Leila.

-T

I stared at the letter, as if maybe there would be something to tell me that this really isn't happening. All at once, a wave of grief and pain washed over me and clutched my heart. The pain was as tangible as physical pain. I cried out into the air, clutching the paper hard and falling to my knees on the floor. The hurt was too much.

I got up and ran to my desk, and began to scribble furiously on a small notepad.

Thatch-

Please don't do this. When I first saw you, I was afraid to meet you. When I met you, I was afraid to know you. When I kissed you, I was afraid to love you. I am not afraid anymore. When I'm alone, without you, I feel like I can't take a breath. You want to keep me safe? Stay with me. Don't leave me, love me. Please, Thatch. Let me love you. You don't need to protect me, you need to be here. Screw sirens. Screw the universe. I want you here. Now. Please come back. I… I love you, Thatch. Please don't let my heart break.

-Leila

I folded my letter and ran over to Casper's room. I banged on the door a few times and waited. Nothing. I walked back a few steps, then stumbled off to find Casper, still in my giant black shirt.

When I was running through the athletics field, I saw a white, translucent head by the bleachers. I jogged over to see Mantha with him. She held his hands and looked into his eyes with true and perfect love. Then, their lips met. Her hands pulled him close, just like I had with Thatch the night before.

I covered my mouth to keep from crying out. I opened up my wings, and pushed off into the morning sky.

I flew around in the atmosphere until I reached my dorm window. I ripped it open, splintering the dark wood. I slammed down on the ground and stood there for a minute, trying to catch my breath. I rested there, numb. I crawled back into my bed, and rolled onto the side where Thatch lay the night before. It smelled of sulfur and… Pine needles? That seemed familiar to me, but I couldn't remember what it was… I wracked my brain for the answer, but came up short.

I allowed myself a little time to breath in the smells he left behind and curl up on his body indent on my cheap mattress. I sighed heavily and shook my wings. I descended over to my dresser, putting on a simple, clean outfit. I grabbed my grey messenger bag and placed my letter inside.

I waited outside the main entrance on a bench for Casper and Mantha to return. I slung my bag off my shoulders and pulled my knees to my chest. I needed to save Thatch, but I felt so mangled and shaken that it made it difficult to focus on any one thing. It was almost like my heart was broken so badly that I couldn't make sense of the world anymore. It made me very nervous that my own well-being relied so harshly on another person.

I searched for a little until my eyes landed on Casper and Mantha off in the distance, hands joined and swinging. They were so happy. Jealousy gnawed at my heart. I shook myself mentally, and slung my bag back over my shoulders. I slipped the paper out of the bag, and shuffled over to Casper and Mantha.

"Hey, Leila!" Mantha said surprised. She grinned wildly at me.

I gave her a quick smile and a little wink, then turned to Casper. "Give this to Thatch. Now. It is really important. I know you can get it to him." I spun on my heel when I felt a hand grab my forearm.

"Wait, Leila. What makes you think Casper knows how to get in touch with Thatch?" I slowly turned to see Mantha wearing a mask of confusion and hurt.

"He's been talking to Thatch, but for a good reason, hasn't told anyone. I found one of the letters by accident." I said in a monotone voice. I felt so numb to everything, and completely bent out of shape.

"Why is it so important that I get this to him?" Casper asked suspiciously.

"He came to me last night… He left before just before I woke up. He left a letter saying he was handing himself over to the sirens. They threatened to hurt me…" I choked on my words, unsuccessfully holding back a new wave of tears. "Now my pillows smell like pine needles and sulfur! Why do they smell like that? That's so—". I stopped for a second, my brain firing groups of memories at me. My head snapped up at Casper and Mantha, who looked extremely scared. Mantha looked more confused than scared, but she was smart. She realized what it meant to sirens to have someone immune to their power.

"What?" Mantha peeped.

"The caverns… He smelled like the caverns we were trapped in!" I yelled. I got so excited that I almost burst. Maybe I could save him…