Chapter Fifty-Two: One Moment
The soft patter of rain echoed through out the cell block, Beth sat perched on the edge of the bed staring at the boots of the girl standing in front of her. Beth griped the mattress wishing it would open up and shallow her whole.
"was it worth it"
Beth's eyes snapped up at the voice her blue eyes taking in every inch, every detail of the woman before her
Beth's eyes filled with tears as she slowly shook her head; no it hadn't been worth it. A moment of loneliness, a moment of despair, a moment of desire had led to this moment and this moment was one she never wanted to live.
"what do you expect me to say here Beth?"
Beth watched as Riley walked over and swung her bow over her shoulder
"what am I suppose to say…..that it's okay…..that I understand…..that we can work through this….that….that…..that I still love you?"
Beth looked up, the warm liquid rolling down her cheeks making small imprints on the worn out fabric of her jeans
"say something" Riley announced throwing her hands in the air "I'm gone for two days Beth…two days" Riley continued her voice slightly breaking at the end "don't you have anything to say"
Beth rose her hands wiping away the droplets of salt only to have them replaced a moment later. Slowly she stood to her feet walking forward and reaching out to grab Riley's hands
"I don't know what to say" she rasped out, her voice and body shaking "tell me what to say…."
Riley's eyes filled with a unknown emotion and for a moment Beth thought maybe things would be okay, maybe they could work this out; in that moment Riley squeezed Beth's hands only to drop them a moment later.
"you don't get it….I loved you Beth Greene"
'I loved you….loved….loved….past tense'
"how can I ever trust you again….."
Riley reached over and picked up her backpack "two days Beth….two days of scared emptiness led to a lifetime of it…..I don't understand…I thought…the things you said…I loved you"
Beth watched as Riley walked from the cell her boots echoing as she descended the stairs. Beth collapsed to the floor her heart no longer a part of her.
In a moment her life, her soul, her heart were gone….
