Warning: Major suicide themes (Literally includes a suicide note)

Chapter 16 – Finding Wynter

"What the fuck did you say to her Zoey?!", Zed shouted as he stormed back into the house, trying to phone Wynter for the fifth time with no answer.
"Zed! Calm down! You don't talk to your sister like that!" Zevon shouted back at him.
"I'm not talking to you," Zed replied, coldly. "Zoey, what the hell did you say to her? Where's she gone?", he continued, as he stormed back into Zoey's bedroom.
"I, I don't know," Zoey said meekly. "I, I erm, I said something about Addison, and then went upstairs and left her alone in the kitchen. I'm sorry. Zed, I'm so sorry."
"Fuck this house!", Zed shouted. "If either of you two actually cared about me, you would stop bringing up Addison and accept Wynter." With that, he stormed out of the house again, and into his car, starting to drive around the streets looking for Wynter.

After almost 30 minutes and no results, Zed finally called for help. He pulled over, and called Eliza. After a few rings, she picked up. "Sup Zed. What can I do for you?"
"Are you with Willa?", he asked, sharply.
"Zed, whatever shit you two are arguing about, I'm not getting inv-"
"Eliza, please. I don't give a fuck about arguments right now. Are you with Willa?"
"Yeah, I'm at the wolf den now, give me a sec to grab her." To Zed, it felt like hours waiting for Willa to get to the phone. Please, Wynter. Please be close, he thought over and over again.

"Zed, want do you want?", Willa finally said, in a harsh tone.
"Is Wynter there? In the den?", Zed asked, desperately.
"Why would that fucking traitor be at the den?", Willa snarled back.
"Willa, please. My dad something bad about Wynter and she heard it and ran off. I need to find her. Please, you've known her far longer than I have. Where could she have gone?"
Willa paused for a moment, then answered, "Wynter always liked the water. Is there a lake or a river nearby. She might be there."
"Thank you! Thank you so much Willa!", Zed exclaimed.
"And Zed," Willa continued, now much quieter. "Please make sure she's safe. I know we're not exactly speaking after everything that's happened, but I still care for her." She paused again. "Just make sure she's safe."
"I will. Thank you, Willa."

Just as he hung up the phone, a message from Wynter came through. He opened it quickly, and read:
Wynnie ❤️: Zed, I'm so sorry for causing a fight with your dad. But sitting here and watching the world go by this last hour, I realise that we could never last.

You deserve Addison, and you know it's true. Everyone does. Through ups and downs, you two have always stuck together, and I don't know why I tried to convince myself otherwise. I'm sorry to have kept the two of you apart, and I promise that it won't be the case anymore.

All I ever caused anyone is pain. I kept you and Addison apart, made Wyatt angry all of the time, caused Bree and Bonzo's relationship to almost fall apart, and made Willa look bad in front of the elders. Whilst I never meant for any of it to happen, I know that it's my fault, and I am truly sorry.

I know it's stupid, because our relationship was never real, but I felt like it was. The last few months were the most exciting and thrilling I have ever had. For the first time in my life, I felt loved, and wanted. I felt like I truly belonged somewhere. But if the last 2 days have taught me anything, it's that we aren't meant to be.

Zed Necrodopolis, you are a wonderful and loving man, and Addison is truly lucky to have you in her life. Don't mourn or cry over me. I'm not worth any of your tears. Just live your life to the fullest, and make every day like you have made the last few of mine – a gift.

So, thank you Zed. Thank you for making my last few months the best I've had. The truth still is, however, that I only ever bring pain and suffering to everyone I love. The world would be a better place without me in it, so for the first time in my life, I'll do the world a favour and take me out of it.

Goodbye Zed.

Zed hysterically cried all the way through reading the message. Desperately, he texted her back, trying to convince her to wait, to listen, to stop, but to no avail. All the messages remained unread.

He sped towards the riverbanks, as fast as his car would allow. He swerved around pedestrians, almost caused 3 different accidents, but he simply didn't care. You are a fucking idiot Zed, he thought, as he drove. How could you let this happen. She's going to kill herself, and it's your fucking fault!

About six minutes after receiving the message, Zed got the the river. He jumped out of the car before it even stopped, not caring that it rolled into the side of the bridge. He ran down the path, past the rocks, where he saw her phone and jacket; she was definitely here.

Without a second thought, he jumped into the river, swimming downwards as fast as he could, in search of Wynter. Panicked, he hunted around for any sign of her; he knew he was running out of time. Just as he was convinced he was too late, Zed saw her body. Lay motionless on the bottom of the river, Wynter appeared to be sleeping peacefully. He swam over to her, pulling her up, and swam as fast as he could up to the riverbanks.

Her skin was cold.

She didn't move.

She wasn't breathing.