Chapter 14
Stella slowly turned away from Mac, and looked over at the wall. She wasn't ready to talk about her ordeal yet. "I-I can't." Mac could feel his heart break as he looked at her. More than anything, he wished he could take her pain away. "It's okay." He said soothingly as he reached out and gently ran his finger down her cheek.
No,It's not. She thought to herself, it would be a while before she was okay again. She felt scared, angry and ashamed. She could still see him in her mind terrorizing her. She shuddered slightly as she thought back to all the things he did. The blindfold, force feeding her, and killing her guardian angel, Professor P. "It's all my fault." She said quietly. "All my fault."
Mac looked at her, it was hard to hear since she was turned away; but he thought he heard something about fault. Is she blaming herself for Kolovos coming after her?" He thought to himself. He reached out and touched her shoulder."Stella?"
She slowly turned her head and looked at him. "It's all my fault. He's gone and it's all my fault."
Mac looked at her confused. "Who's gone?"
"He killed professor P. He-he's gone."
Mac wrapped his arms around her and held her tight as she cried. "It's okay." He said gently as he stroked her hair. After a while, he felt her relax in his arms. He slowly pulled back from her and looked into her eyes. "It's not your fault."
"I-I tried to get away, he-he got mad. Maybe if I hadn't."
"You've been through a hell of an event, Stella. Your scared and confused."
Stella stared at him, "I'm not confused, Mac. He's dead because I tried to leave."
Mac reached out and took her hand in his. "But it's not your fault. You did nothing wrong, don't blame yourself. "
Stella pulled her hand away. If It's not my fault, why do I feel like it is?" Stella please, don't blame yourself." He didn't get a response. He sighed, he hated seeing her so upset and blaming herself. He reached for her again, and she pulled away. Maybe she just needs some time. He thought to himself. "I'll be back later." He said, then got up and walked out the door.
Danny watched him leave, then turned to Stella. "I know your hurt and scared, but so is Mac. He was really worried when you were gone." He said then got up and left the room shutting the door behind him.
Stella watched them go,then looked down at her sheets and thought about what Mac and Danny had said.