Chapter 8: Are You Here?

As soon as I had knocked her to the ground she had me pinned under her and proceeded to hit me. I at least got a few good shots in. I thought I was helpless until I felt her weight being lifted off of me.

*Flashback*

I was doomed, no one was going to save me and I was already starting to feel dizzy from the hits. Suddenly I felt Ann's weight being lifted off of me. It was Cliff; he had grabbed Ann and ripped her off of me.

"What the hell is your problem Ann" he yelled.

He had his hands gripped tightly on her forearms and was starting to shake a little.

"What's her problem; you obviously didn't make it clear enough for her." She spat.

"What are you talking about?" he questioned.

I stood up feeling very dizzy, I then stumbled and fell to the ground. Before she could answer he turned and said Claire, releasing his grip on her and rushing over to me.

"Are you okay?" he asked whilst trying to help me up.

I swatted his hands away and spat.

"No, I'm not, but I don't need your help"

I rose to my feet and began to walk away when I felt a tug on my wrist. I turned to be face to face with Cliff; I then snatched my wrist away and stumbled backwards a little.

"Be careful Claire, you'll injure yourself even more" he said.

"Really, and why would you care" I growled.

"I… I just would" he said.

"Well, I'm fine so you can leave me alone now" I replied.

Just then Ann appeared at Cliff's side and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Forget about her Cliff. Focus on someone who actually cares about you, like me" she professed.

He then unwrapped her arms from his neck.

"Give it a rest Ann" he mumbled, seeming rather spent.

Cliff turned away from the both of us and stalked off to his room. Ann soon left as well. I then felt another tug on my wrist. This time I turned to see Elli; she had a concerned look on her face.

"Claire, you're bleeding!" she cried

I instantly raised my hand to face and when I pulled my hand away sure enough there was blood. I guess in the heat of the moment I didn't realise I was bleeding. Elli and I rushed to the Clinic where I soon passed out from losing so much blood. I woke up and hour later feeling very sore and tired. Elli came to my room and said.

"So what exactly happened back at the Inn?"

"Well, I was eating lunch when Ann came out of nowhere and starting fighting with me, I got really angry and jumped her. I got a few good shots at her but she then pinned me to the ground and kept hitting me" I explained.

"What about Cliff, why was he there?" she asked

"Cliff pulled Ann off of me after I attacked her. He kept trying to talk to me but I ended up giving him the cold shoulder." I answered.

She was silent for a few seconds before she said.

"Claire…can I ask you something?"

"Sure Elli, ask away" I replied.

"Do…do you still care about Cliff?" she questioned quietly.

BANG, like a bullet right to my heart. The question I've been dreading for a while now. Never would I have expected that Elli of all people would ask me that. Then again she is dare I say it my best and only friend.

I drew a deep breath before I answered. Elli could tell I was deep in thought so she waited.

"Yes…" I whispered.

"I really do care about him, so much that it hurts but I don't know what to do. Oh Elli please help me." I pleaded

"I knew you still did and it's not a bad thing but here's how we can help you. You need to find something other than Cliff to distract yourself with. Show him that you don't need him and don't just say that. Trust me it will all work out." She promised with a wink.