So, sorry this update took a while. I have no excuses lol, I feel kinda bad that the chapters just seem to keep getting sadder, so I apologize for that. Thank you all for the lovely reviews, I'm glad you're still reading. Thanks! Here's the next chapter:)

Chapter 15

Fate had woven them into a complicated web of red thread. Each moment was twisted and knotted in such a way that separation was simply not an option. But she had to go and Ashley had to give her the support- with strength and with her heart.

Her heart, she mused unconsciously clutching at her nightgown.

"Ashley," Spencer murmured softly. She shifted slowly and propped her head on one hand, reaching out with her other to entwine her fingers with hers.

"I need you," she murmured, bringing Ashley's hand to her lips. "I need you to be ready, Ashley. I need you to be ready for whatever is coming."

Ashley said nothing, for there was nothing to be said. Spencer was seeking reassurance from her presence at the moment.

"I'm sorry."

Ashley was startled out of her thoughts as the bed shifted and she was swept into Spencer's embrace. She trembled. It was amazing that at even the slightest touch, she had forgotten how to breathe.

" I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm sorry. I can't- you deserve better than this."

Ashley shook her head.

"Promise me."

Spencer was startled, her hand stopped on Ashley's pulled her closer, nuzzling her hand.

"Promise me."

"Promise you what?" Spencer asks.

"Promise me that you'll find your way back to me no matter what the circumstances."

Ashley licks her lips and her heart is pounding. They're just words, but the meaning is so much more. Promises were enough for now.

"I promise," she smiles.

Ashley had been staring at the blank wall in Spencer's room for like an eternity. Spencer had long gone to bed and now was sleeping restlessly in her space on the other side of the bed. The house refused to lose the aura of misery that wanted to surround it indefinitely.

There was something about this house at the moment, something that was eternally miserable. It was as if the house itself took pride in manipulating the grief of those who lived within it with a sickening glee. The words too late seemed to hover above Ashley's head as she looked over at Spencer sleeping.

"Do you love me?"

There was something in the way Spencer had asked her the question tonight. She had immediately recognized the desperation in her voice, but the desperation itself merely served as a layer to the dark and complex emotions underneath it. This notion alone unnerved her recognized her desperation, knew that she fought to control her emotions. It frightened her that they were quickly nearing the bursting point. But what terrified her more was that Spencer felt that she had to fight alone.

She shook her head. Surrounding herself with these thoughts would only serve to feed the misery, it would be best if she got some water and went back to her room to try to sleep.

Reaching the kitchen, she began to quietly search for glass in the cupboards, cringing each time an obnoxious squeak permeated the sullen silence of the household.

"You know, late night snacking is bad for your health."

She jumped, nearly dropping a glass she had found onto the floor. Turning around, she saw Anabelle standing in a tank top and sweatpants, looking like she hadn't slept in days.

"Scared you?"

"More like startled me," she said, filling her glass with water. "Don't do that. It's bad enough that this house is totally creepy at night."

"Sorry."

She set her glass down and whirled around, now curious as to why she was down there so late as well.

"Hey...do you wanna talk about things. I think you could use it." Ashley asked, concerned.

"No... Look Ashley, you may feel the need to ramble about everything you feel, but I don't. And I'm not going to have a heart to heart with you of all people."

Ashley's fists clenched angrily at her side.

"What is wrong with you? All you ever do is give me hot and cold. One minute I think everything's fine and actually believe that we're friends, and the next minute you're spewing daggers at me. I don't know whether you like me or hate me and it's confusing the hell out of me!"

Ashley was in her space now, finally confronting Anabelle about her attitude towards her.

"Which is it Anabelle, which is it? Tell me what it is about me that you hate."

"Damn it Ashley! I'm in love with you...I'm in love with you. I always have been."

Ashley stopped short, not really believing what she was hearing. Anabelle was in love with her?

"But you're in love with Spencer. And you have no idea how much that hurts, to watch the two people you care about most in the world be in love."

"Anabelle..." Ashley started, watching her wipe away the tears on her face.

"No, let me finish...I wanted to hate Spencer for taking you, for taking the one thing I've ever truly wanted in life. For taking you, Ashley. But I could never hate her, believe me I tried...I love her too much."

The tears were coming down faster now, and Ashley didn't know what to do. For the first time in her life, she had no idea what to say.

"And then I wanted to hate you. I wanted to hate you for coming into our lives and making us fall in love with you. So I tried to push you away, I tried, but every single time I'd be drawn back to you by some indescribable power. I couldn't keep away."

Anabelle was looking at Ashley intently now, finally letting out all the feelings she'd kept in for so long, finally letting Ashley know how she felt.

"The worst part is, I think if Spencer wasn't in the picture I might have actually had a chance."

Anabelle gave her a slight smile before turning around and walking towards the door, Ashley was still standing in silence, her brain trying to process everything she'd just heard.

"Anabelle, wait!"

"No, Ashley. I'm leaving. I have to go, I can't keep doing this to myself anymore. Bye Ashley."

Ashley watched her leave, saddened by the fact that she'd broken Anabelle's heart. And realizing that the events surrounding her arrival had left shattered hearts in her wake.