Chapter 105 More or less than a victim

Chapter 105 More or less than a victim

\[Matty's PoV\]

I toss and turn on my bed, unable to sleep. Adira's face kept popping in my head. I turn on my side, drawing the mattress closer. It felt cold all of a sudden. Was it wrong to do what I did? Dominic assured me no harm would go to Adira that she was fine. I tried calling her number but it went straight to voicemail. Sleep eluded me and I threw the couch covers off me. I'm going for a run. I peeled off my pajamas, replacing them with my sweatpants and T-shirt. I crept downstairs to the living room only to be caught by Bella.

"What are you doing?" She made a hand sign, her face ran a gamut of worry and concern for me.

"I couldn't sleep. I'm going for a run." I reply with a hand sign.

She shook her head and pointed at the wall clock. It was 5 am.

"I'll be back before the sun comes up." I cross the living room to give her a hug. Then I hurried out the door.

I began my sprint and didn't stop till I felt a drop of water on my back. I looked up to he dark sky, a drizzle was coming. I went to find shelter from the pelting rain in a playground.

As I sat in the toyhouse, I saw a familiar figure running towards the direction of the road. The silver street light bounced off her hair as she ran. I don't know what compelled me to run after her but I did.

"Wait. Hold up!" I kept calling after her but she didn't stop.

Both of us kept running until I caught her arm. "Wait."

"Let go off me." She said and my heart sank. I know her voice.

"Let go off me." She tugged her arm off my grip and turned around to look at me. A look of surprise animated her fair face.

'Charlotte.' I said as surprise as she was.

Together, we took shelter in the toyhouse.

'So what happened? Can't sleep?' I nudged her shoulder lightly.

Charlotte shrugged her shoulder. 'Kinda. I guess I felt so tired from yesterday.'

I laughed when I remembered our silly dance on the streets yesterday after our exams. It was fun and thrilling to be free from the confines of the classroom but when I remembered that the same yesterday was the same day Adira was taken by Dominic and Lin, my skin crawled and my mirth died.

'So what's your own story? Can't sleep?' She nudged my shoulder lightly and I chuckled nervously.

'Yep, that's about the size of it. Don't ask why.' I said with a smile.

Charlotte rested her head on my shoulder. 'Honestly, I'm nervous.'

'About what?' I put her stray hair in order.

'Nothing. Don't ask.' She stole my line and it came back as a slap on my face.

'Okey dokey, liar.' I pinched her cheeks and she winced.

'I'm sleepy.' She said with a yawn and shut her eyes. The next second, I join her.

We awoke the same time the sun rose lazily in the sky.

'Morning. Jinx.' We both said simulateneously to each other.

'Have a good night's rest?' I ask with a light yawn.

'Nope. My body aches. I hope your shoulders isn't stiff.' She apologized softly.

'Nah, I'm fine.' I wink at her.

'Well, I better get going before my parents start looking for me.' She pulled her hood on, hiding her pretty hair and hair. It looked kinda big on her. When she turned to leave, I knew instantly who the hoodie really belonged to - Levi. There was a collage image of him and a wolf. The man sure has style.

'See ya.' Charlotte left with a cheery and a wave that I returned.

When her figure disappeared in the distance, I heard something snapped. It was my shoulder bone. I sure screamed after that.

\[Charlotte's POV\]

I don't know how I ran so far away from home. Okay, here's what happened last night : Levi and I had a huge fight. Partly, it was my fault but if you were to judge this, you'd see that it wasn't my fault at all.

I was in Levi's room - Sophie, George, Michael and Jacob. Yeah, it was pretty crowded but from time to time, they started leaving till it was just us.

We cuddled on his bed. His chest, my safest place, my hands his safety pin. We were together without any restrictions and we were both happy. There was no music playing in the background. The only music was our heartstrings beating in the rhythm of our love. Jesus Christ. That is so cliche. I did not just say that. Please, Marina's all about love played in a low tune from the jukebox.

'Do you think she's right?' I asked looking up at his face.

'Who?' Levi stared at me with confusion written all over his cute face and I pinched his cheeks with my free hand.

'Marina. The singer?' I pointed at the jukebox and he laughed.

'Well, it might sound weird coming from me but love makes us crazy.' He said, kissing my forehead.

'Does love make you crazy?' I ask him shyly.

'Baby, I'd rather love you and go crazy than go sane without you in my life. That's all there is to it.' He kissed my lips, his hand dug into my hair. I responded by kissing him back. He flipped me over on the bed now he hovered over me.

'You're bad.' I muttered as I bit my lower lip.

'I know I'm bad but we're so good together.' He leaned down to kiss me again, this time roughly.

He started whispering as he trailer kisses on my neck. 'I'm batshit crazy about you, Char.'

A moan escaped my lips and he whispered behind my ears as he bit me. 'Girl, I have fallen for you.'

Something began to buzz but we ignored it. My hands were already digging through his shirt and he took it off, helping me take mine off. My hands hooked around his neck, sucking on his lips as his hand made my body sing whatever he wanted it to. I was lost in the passion. The heat pooled inside me and I wanted to let loose but the buzzing became louder, snapping me out of the spell.

'Levi, something's ringing.' I pat his shoulder lightly but he was still kissing my neck. His lips took my nipple and I moaned softly, my legs wrapping around his torso. He bit every inch of my neck. It hurt but at the same time I liked it. Whatever was this feeling?

The buzzing sound became louder and I patted his arm. 'Levi.'

'Shit.' Levi got off me and I cover myself in the sheets.

It was his phone. One drag through his hair and I knew he was upset by the caller. Was it Lin? He was always mad at her.

'What is it?' I put my clothes back on and jumped off the bed to meet him.

Levi heaved a sigh and showed me this phone. It was a text from Malcolm. 'Training starts tonight. Your absence will only infuriate me.'

'He sure knows how to ruin a happy moment.' Levi took me in his arms, his hands finding their way inside my shirt and caressing my skin.

'Sure.' I say nervously. I don't want to go for this training. I'm scared I'd gt hurt but if I don't get trained, I'd get a worse injury in H.A.S.

'Hey, you okay?' Levi looked at me, his hand was quick to cup my face.

I shook my head. 'No, I'm scared.'

'Of the training?' He asked, stroking my cheek softly.

'Y - yeah.' I say then pull away from him.

'Charlotte, where are you going?' He asked, puzzled.

'To clear my head.' I took my hoodie and went to get my shoes.

'W - Wait. You're just gonna go? No. That's not what I want. Charlotte!' Levi shut the door when I tried to open it.

I refused to turn around to look at him.

'Charlotte, turn around.' He said in a commanding voice.

With a sharp exhale, I turn around to face him. 'Yes?'

He cupped my cheeks again. 'Didn't I swear to protect you? Why are you scared?'

'Why wouldn't I be?' I step away from his hold. 'You want me to train with Malcolm and the FBI but I don't want to. What if int he midst of the training, my heart gives out and I die? I don't want to die.'

'Hey, don't say. Don't ever say that. You won't dies on my watch.' Levi tries to take my hand but I yell at him.

'No! Stay! Stay there! Let me think about this!' I look him dead in the eyes and he scoffed and run his hand through his hair.

'What's your problem, Charlotte?' Levi began in a soft, calm voice.

Now, it was my turn to scoff. 'My problem? Excuse me?'

'Its never about Malcolm's training, is it? You don't want to do it with me, do you?' He blurted out and I scoff again, this time with a laugh.

'You think that's important, right now? Really, Levi?' I threw my sweater and shoe on the floor.

'You love me today, You hate me the next second or even the next day. That's what you always do, Char. Admit it!' Now, he's yelling at me.

'I love you today and hate you tomorrow? Yeah. I'm guilty of that. I guess that's all I do. There are days I love you and there are days I loathe you!' I yelled back at him.

In an instant, he pinned me on the bed with my hands above my head. 'No! I won't allow you to choose what days to love me, Charlotte.'

I was startled with the rage I feel from him but the look in his eyes wasn't that of anger. It held a look of regret.

'Love me every second, every minute, every hour, everyday, Charlotte. That's what I've been doing for more than 5 years.' His words now left me dumbstruck.

'Wait. What?' I was confused.

He let go off me and looked away.

'What did you say, Levi?' I can hear my voice begin to break.

Levi looked at me. 'I didn't meet you for the first time at the mall. We met when we were little. I promised to be your friend, remember? I told you your parents would stop fighting if you tell them you want a brother.'

I sat up and moved away from the bed. 'No, you're not him.'

He went on. 'Char, that boy and I are the same. It was me. That's why I'm always running after you. I don't start loving you today, Char. I kept on telling you but you - -

I felt tears spill down my cheeks. 'You -

'I'm sorry.' Levi tried to hold but I grabbed a black hoodie and my shoes and bolted.

I didn't know where I was going. I got tired and sit down to wear my shoes then I went on. That was when I met Matty in the rain. We didn't say much to each other but I guess we needed each other's company. We awoke at the same time and I knew I had to head home. Staying with Matty made me realize you didn't have to say anything to heal, just enjoying each other's company was enough to heal.

I trudged homeward and when I held the doorknob, I heard my name. I turn around hoping to see Levi but it was Jacob.

'Hey.' He said from Levi's window with a smile.

'Hi.' I waved back. Levi passed by the window but he didn't spare me so much a backward glanced or a smile. He just left and weirdly, it felt as though my heart was empty.