CAN’T RUN FROM YOUR SHADOW : CHAPTERS 41 – 50

CAN’T RUN FROM YOUR SHADOW : CHAPTERS 41 – 50

BY ANNY’S LIBRARY
MEMORIES FLASHBACK

After being dragged away by her Mother some days back, the little girl decides to pour out her anger on her pretty pink piano, cladded in her pink flora gown as guled to her skin as she sits elegantly on the piano chair with a backrest.

Even at such a young age, she developed a strong connection with the instrument, it’s her source of communicating her pains, the hidden thoughts in her heart that she can’t voice out, and even though she did, no body would ever understand.

Her finger tips pressing each key with perfection, creating her own tune as she drifts off into a world of her own, a world where there’s peace in her heart, a world where she would be happy, a world where she wouldn’t cry, or think, or worry……….

Her index finger pressed on a note with a harsh motion and it made an off key tone, just like her heart and she slowly retreats her fingers, tears slipping down her eyes as she stared at her teddy bear closer to her, it’s slightly big and it’s in her favorite color.

Pink, she’s obsessed with the color.

Her life wasn’t like this before, her family used to be so happy, she once had the most adorable parents, most kids of her age got jealous at some point but everything changed when she clocked 5.

A year ago, her Mother suddenly started acting strange, she talks to herself, yells and laughs to no one in particular, coming with senerios that never existed…..

At first she thought her Mother was just stressed but it got worse, her Mother turned violent, she started hitting her and beating her at the slightest opportunity, she changed completely and started dressing weird as well.

“Princess….” Her Dad called out and she jolted out of her thoughts, her eyes liting up in excitement as the only person that cares about her walked into her room.

“Daddy, you are home!, I’ve missed you so much!” She burst into excitement as her Dad squats besides her, before fitting himself into her small bench.

“I’m sorry for bailing the other day, it’s just that I got busy” he whispered and she swallows hard, it’s kinda selfish to complain when all he does is to carter for her needs, they need the money but there are times when she needs him too.

“It’s okay, Dad” she giggled, looking up at him as he smiles and pecks her forehead fondly.

“I see you have been practicing” he gestured at her pretty piano and she giggles excitedly.

“Yes, I can’t wait to crush my audition next week, I’m so excited” she claps her hands together.

Her father’s smile faded.

“Next week?” He asked again and she nods, her smile fading equally.

“Yes, next week Dad, aww…. don’t tell you you won’t make it?” She pouted sadly, fiddling with her fingers as her Dad brushed her long hair backwards, it’s so rich and full and she loves letting it lose all the way to her back.

“I’m sorry Princess, I wish I could” he trails off and she felt something sink deeply into her heart as she pulled up a fake smile.

“I understand, business first” she mumbles, her heart hurting deeply as a tear threatened to fall.

“Hey, don’t say that…..” He trails and she shakes her head.

“Want to be the first person to hear what I’ve got planned for next week?” She asked, intentionally changing the subject and her Dad nods lightly.

She smiles, setting her hands to each sides as she gently placed her pretty fingers on the keys and soon enough, a beautiful melodic sound filled the entire room, she closed her eyes as her father placed his hands on her shoulders and she let’s go, allowing the tune take over.

Playing the piano gives her peace and right now she’s sharing it with the entire mansion as it blared beautifully across the walls, the peace that comes with it, it elopes her completely, her saddness morphing into inner joy.

This is so perfect, her Dad besides her, her music and Teddy bear, nothing can possibly go wrong, nothing can interupt………..

“Turn it off!, Make it stop!!, TURN IT OFF!” her Mother’s shrill voice pierced through the room as the little girl jolts abruptly away from the piano, her eyes bulging as she stared at her Mother’s red face, her thick red lipstick adding to the craziness in her eyes.

“Aurora!?, Not again!” Her father’s uneasiness rilled up and before he could do anything, her Mother smashed the piano with the bat that she’s holding, yelling and smashing and smashing and smashing repeatedly as the little girl eyes widened in fear and horror.

“Her episodes are back again, it’s the third time this week, it’s getting worse, we need to do something before she hurts someone!” An older Man, the little girl’s driver and father’s personal assistant said as they managed to grab her Mother, her strength is unmatched as she struggles to free herself.

Episode?.

The little girl yelled as she scrambled towards the corner of her room for safety, watching her father and personal assistant try to tame the wild lady, her screams as she kicks and bites and her blue eyes landed on the little girl, their matching eye color and the little girl hides her face.

What’s wrong with her Mother?.

Soon silence took over as they sucessfully dragged her out of the room, her yells and screams echoing endlessly as the little girl slowly stood up, tears rolling down her eyes as she approached her piano.

It’s damaged beyond repair, it’s destroyed completely, there’s no fixing it.

Her Mother hates the sound or rather her Mother isn’t sane enough to love it, the mad look in her eyes as she slowly looks away from the damage and her eyes caught something.

A key, it’s so big but not that big though.

It must have fallen off her Mother earlier, they’re are two, she slowly bends slightly and took them, rushing out of her room as she placed one on the living room table, she looks around before sneaking to the back carefully.

It has to be today.

She got to the basement and that sudden pang of anxiety hits her as she walked towards the huge mental door, she promised her Mother never to come back here but there’s something about this place that…….calls her.

She looks around before carefully inserting the key and clicks it, a thick sound emerged and she slowly pushed the door open, a rotten, awful and disgusting smell hits her nostrils as she steps into the dark room.

What is this place?.

The smell of dried up blood, the smell of used up coil, it’s really awful.

Fear suddenly grips her as she heard movement of rustling chains, her eyes probbed in the dark as she tried finding the source of the sound, her tiny feet moved closer and the sounds becomes clearer as she heard soft whimpers.

“Who’s there?…” Her tiny voice echoed as she moved closer, why would there be someone in here?, Why would her Mother lock someone up?, Is this the reason why she warned her never to come down here?.

Her instincts flaring as she moved closer in the dark, she can feel the crawling up in her skin and something made her paused as her feet touched a soft surface.

She felt something run outside but the chains from the other end distracted her as she slowly walked up to it.

“Please don’t hurt me” the little whimper comes again in a haunted voice.

CAN’T RUN FROM YOUR SHADOW : CHAPTERS 41 – 50

END OF MEMORIES FLASHBACK

Amelia stumbled backwards, her butt hitting the ground as her whole body arched, it began to shake vigorously as she looks at the board and her hands.

No way!, She just remembered something again, a very particular event that happened years ago, it’s so scary and it feels like she’s going to pass out.

She quickly stood up, grabbing the black cover as she covered the board, her whole body vibrating as she sat on the bed, she can’t possibly bring herself to calm down at this point, it’s so strange.

She needs explanations of her past, she needs to know what happened to her Mother, why did her Mother change?, What was the reason behind her Mother’s agressiveness.

She needs to talk to her Dad and Aunt…..no scratch that, she needs to talk to her Dad.

Or she actually needs someone who understands her pains right now……….she needs Byron.

The bathroom door opens and Byron stepped out in a sweatpant and light tank top, did he had those in there with him?.

He saw the haunted look on Amelia’s face and heads for his draw immediately, opening it and pulling out the small brown bag, he scrambled towards shaking Amelia and forced her mouth open, shoving the pills inside as he watched the haunted expression on her face.

What actually happened to her?, Another episode or did she remember something?.

“Byron!….” She called out almost inaudibly, hugging him as he lost his balance and they crashed onto the ground, he can feel her temperature rising as she shakes uncontrollably.

“Calm down, Wild one, it’s okay, I’m here now” he whispered, brushing her hair backwards as she layed on top of him, her heart racing heavily as she closed her eyes shut and tears bridged it’s entrance.

“I’m so scared right now, I’m so fùcking scared, I can’t think straight……. please don’t leave me, please…. I’m so scared” the words jumbled out of her mouth and he tightened his grip on her, allowing the effects of the pills work. But it’s kinda late now, she’s already losing it and she needs to inflict pains on something before she calms down.

“I’m not going anywhere, I’m right here, just breathe it out, just like we did the other day” he whispered and she closed her eyes tighter, the sudden lost of air crowding her completely.

She needs to breathe!.

She needs to fúcking breathe!.

Breathe Amelia!.

“I can’t!, I can’t!….” She almost yelled……

“You can, just do it” He urged as he made her face him, her nails already clawing into his arms, digging into it.

“I can’t breathe properly, I might just die!” She rasped, the bloodshot look in her eyes as she stared at him, she’s really trying so hard not to lose control completely, the sudden urge of violence taking it’s toll on her.

She needs to break, she needs to run away, she needs to destroy anything!.

“Look at me, you can do it…. just breathe it out” he whispered as his breath fans her face, her eyes closed at the sensations but her mind is ragging uncontrollably.

“What if I hurt you?, What if I can’t?, I’m scared I might do something stupid, I’m scared I might hurt y……..” The remaining words died down in her throat as Byron grabbed her nape and slammed his lips on her’s immediately, knocking the ragging thoughts away.

Unlike the first time, this one is different, it’s rough and she can feel his teeth biting her inner lip, her eyes fluttered close as she finally exhaled deeply, getting lost in his arms.

He felt her body relaxed and he pulled away, she immediately hides her face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the pure scent of body wash.

He allowed her stay still, he didn’t say a word as she finally calmed down, her breathing becomes soft and everything else calmed down as well, the sudden heat in the room vanishing into thin air.

From seconds to minutes as she snuggled into his warmth, his arms wrapping her up like a cocoon, she has never felt this kind of peace before. It’s rare and new and fucking strange.

“I remembered something again” she whispered into his ears and he gently glides his hands to her middle back.

“I figured, you want to talk about it?” He asked softly and she shakes her head.

“I’d rather lay on your body all night” she whispered and a small smile graced his lips as he pulled her closer, allowing her to do what she wants.

CAN’T RUN FROM YOUR SHADOW : CHAPTERS 41 – 50

The soft knock made Amelia slowly opened her eyes, she furrowed her eyebrows as she found herself on Byron’s bed alone, after taking her bath last night, she practically forced them to sleep on the ground which he agreed to.

Her mind drifted off to what happened last night, and immediately her heart skipped a beat as the haunted expression on the woman’s face she remembered clouded her thoughts, she immediately shakes her head as she pushed the feeling aside and focused on the person opening the door.

“The sleeping beauty is finally awake” Kimberly mutters as she pokes her head and stepped inside fully, a small smile plastered on Amelia’s face as she sat down on a stool closer to the bed.

“Don’t tell me you spent the whole night in Xander’s room?” Amelia teased and Kimberly bites her lips before looking at her.

“Where else would I sleep since he practically refused to let me go back yesterday” she asked and Amelia laughed.

“So, are you guys like a thing now?” Amelia asked and Kimberly pursued her lips.

“We’re still working on it” she voiced out and Amelia grins.

“You and Byron, Huh?” Kimberly raised her eyebrows and Amelia laughed.

“He’s attracted to me and I’m attracted to him too, he makes me happy” Amelia voiced out before she even realized it and she quickly bites her buttom lip, she wasn’t expecting her thoughts to voice themselves out.

“Wow, you two are way deeper than I thought” Kimberly mutters and Amelia smiles.

“Right?, Isn’t it weird, like I didn’t know when I started to actually enjoy my time with him, not that I’m ever going to admit it in front of him, he’s annoying and he will never let me hear the end of it” Amelia pinched the bridge of her nose and Kimberly laughs in understanding.

“You are right, but Byron really likes you, I’m certain he’s in love with you” Kimberly pointed out and Amelia’s eyes widened.

“No, no, no….. he’s not, I just think he’s trying to figure out if we are compatible or I don’t know, maybe we are just passing time with each other, it’s going to ware off, sooner or later.” Amelia said, not minding the hurt in her heart as she said it.

“Do you take Byron for a fool?” Kimberly suddenly asked and Amelia went numb immediately.

“No, I don’t….” Amelia trails off.

“You really think Byron Steel just wants to pass time with you?, He’s obsessed with you, can’t you see it?” Kimberly scolded and Amelia rubs her forehead.

“Kimberly, I’m really scared” Amelia finally voiced out her heart.

“About?”

“What if along the line something terrible happens?, I don’t want my heart broken” Amelia said worriedly and Kimberly takes her hands together.

“I’m sure Byron would do everything within his power to keep you close to him, haven’t you noticed something?” Kimberly asked and Amelia raised an eyebrow.

“Noticed what?” Amelia asked curiously.

“That no guy has ever asked you out since you started this school” Kimberly mutters and Amelia nods in agreement, her lips quivering in an O shape.

“You…. you are right, the only guy that asked me out two years ago suddenly transferred out of our school” Amelia mutters as she wabble in thoughts.

“And who do you think is behind it?” Kimberly asked with a smirk.

“Byron…..” Amelia muttered silenty and Kimberly pulled her up, she’s currently wearing Byron’s sweatshirt and it literally looks like a gown on her.

“Let’s go eat, Byron is making breakfast” Kimberly mutters and Amelia eyes almost popped as they hurriedly left the room, jugging down stairs and immediately she met Xander sitting down shirtless on the stool close to the kitchen and Ronna was sprawled on the couch, agressively typing on his phone with a smile on his face.

Well, that’s new

“Morning, Pinky” Xander mutters as Kimberly walked up to him.

“Morning, Xan” Amelia waved at him.

“His name is Xander” Byron retorted immediately as he stepped out with five hot steamy mugs.

“I called him Xan” Amelia mutters as Xander rolled his eyes at Byron while grabbing two mugs, for himself and Kim.

“And I said his name is Xander, get it right” Byron sterned voice made Amelia smriks mischievously.

“You’ve got a problem with me calling him, Xan” Amelia asked with a teasing smrik as he stood in front of her, she takes her mug and he placed the tray on the counter close by.

“Yes.” He replied point blank.

“But you don’t have a problem when I call you, Byr?” She asked taking a sip.

“Absolutely not.” He replied sharply.

“Why?” She asked again.

“Because he’s Xander and I am me, Byron…… your future husband” he said the last part and everyone started laughing, Amelia simply stood stunned.

“You will never cease to amaze me, Byron” Xander chuckles as Kimberly sat besides him on a different stool, her laughter dying down a little bit.

“I’m damn serious” Byron said with a smirk as he stared down at Amelia who’s taking a slow sip from from her steamy mug. The sudden urge to kiss her senseless englofing him completely.

“Who’s damn serious?” Ronna finally asked, tossing his phone aside as he stood up.

“Finally, I thought you would never look up from that thing” Kimberly mutters and he sticks his tongue at her while grabbing his mug.

“You’ve been awfully happy this morning” Byron chimed in and Ronna smiled brightly, it’s actually a genuine smile as he leaned on the counter.

“Mind your business, wanker, I heard someone talking about be damn serious about something, who was it?” Ronna asked and everyone except Byron rolled their eyes.

“Mind your business” Xander retorted and Ronna flips him off.

Amelia just stood in front of Byron, his eyes never leaving her for a minute.

“How are you feeling now?” He asked in a whisper and she smiles.

“I’m way better, all thanks to you” she whispered as well, almost done with her tea.

“Finish up, I will run you a bath and take you back to school, okay?” He said and she nods virgoursly.

“Are you guys trying to lead me into depression or what?” Ronna asked as his eyes stayed on Byron and Amelia. He heard everything they said.

“Not me, I’ve got Berly” Xander teased and Ronna frowns.

“I feel so lonely right now” Ronna held his chest as he faked sulking.

CAN’T RUN FROM YOUR SHADOW : CHAPTERS 41 – 50

Conference Room

An angered Rico waltzed into Steel’s conference room, immediately interrupting the ongoing meeting with some board members and the dissatisfaction in Steel’s eyes didn’t go unnoticed as the board members left.

“You do know how important business is right, Rico?” Steel snarled as the door slammed shut behind them.

“I should be the one asking you that, Steel, your son’s unacceptable behavior is starting to rub off on my daughter, a deal is a deal and except you want to go against it?, you do know what it will cost you, right?” Rico asked with a sinister glint and Steel tightened his fist.

“I told you to let me handle this, trying to force your opinions on them won’t work” Steel retorted and Rico furrowed his eyebrows.

“I should let you handle this?, Let me be very clear with you, Steel…..if your son insist on going against the deal?, Then you should be ready to pay me every single dime you owe me” Rico gritted out and Steel tightened his hold on himself.

“That won’t be necessary, he’s definitely going through with it, he just needs a wake up call” Steel pointed out as he lowered himself on his seat.

The tension in the room rising immensely.

“This would be the last time I will be talking about this, Steel, get your head in the fùcking game” and with that, Rico left angrily.

A small smile played on Steel’s lips as he fiddles with his fingers.

“It’s my game and I’m playing it just fine”

CAN’T RUN FROM YOUR SHADOW : CHAPTERS 41 – 50

Cole’s Mansion

“You really don’t think it’s important to check up on me, right Melia?” Milicent scolded as she stared at her phone screen, she’s on a video call with Amelia.

Amelia is in her room, sitting down on her reading table with different books on it, she looks exhausted but still managed to smile.

“It’s not like that, Aunt, I’ve been very busy” Amelia cooed, leaning forward on the table.

“Too busy to check up on your most favorite Aunt in the world?” Milicent raised an eyebrow, sitting comfortably on the couch.

“You are being ridiculous right now, you really think I don’t care about you?” Amelia asked, a smile plastered on her face.

“I’m just saying though, I know this might sound selfish but I missed you a lot, being with your father is so boring, he hardly talks or stays at home” Milicent rolled her eyes and Amelia couldn’t hold her laughter.

“I know right, but get this, after the upcoming game we will go on a break before our exams, I will definitely visit” Amelia announced and Milicent eyes lit up in anticipation and excitement.

“I can’t wait!” Milicent goshed, her smile becoming very evident.

“Me too” Amelia cooed.

Silence lingers for a few minutes before Milicent decides to ask the main question on why she called.

“Have you been doing okay, Amelia?….. you know you can tell me anything right?” Milicent asked and Amelia paused for a minute before answering.

“I have been doing very well, you don’t need to worry” Amelia assured but Milicent wasn’t buying it.

“Don’t lie to me, Are you taking your drugs?, Have you been on an episode lately?, Did you by any chance……. remember anything?” Milicent asked with curiousity looming over her face and Amelia chuckles….. even though it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“I’m fine, look at me, don’t I look fine to you?” Amelia asked, pushing her weight off the table and sitting up.

Milicent eyes wandered around for a while before slowly leaning back on the couch, her phone guled to her face as she exhaled lightly.

“Just……. don’t hesitate to let me know if anything happens, okay love?” Milicent cooed with so much concern and Amelia nods.

“Sure thing, Aunt, I have to go now, take care of yourself and don’t get into an argument with my Dad” Amelia chuckles before ending the video call.

Milicent smile faded immediately, tossing her phone on the couch besides her as Cole walked in.

He noticed the look on her face.

“Are you okay?” He asked and Milicent jolts out of her thoughts.

“I’m fine, I just got off a video call with Amelia, she seems okay” Milicent probed, tucking her inner troubles away.

“Well, Dr Kir told me she paid him a visit…..” Cole hadn’t finished his sentence when Milicent jumped on her feet.

“She…. she did?, what happened?, Did she remember anything?” Milicent asked with wide eyes.

“Milicent!” Cole bursted out and she flinched, stepping backwards a little.

“I’m sorry, I just got worried” Milicent probed, sitting down slowly.

“You need to put yourself together, damnit!” Cole mutters frustratedly.

“Well, it’s easy for you to say” she retorted immediately, folding her hands across her chest.

“Of course it is, we both made mistakes and we shouldn’t punish her for it, she needs to remember the past” Cole voiced out and Milicent shakes her head.

“She doesn’t need to, it’s not important, her past isn’t what one should even remember” Milicent probed further.

“You are so selfish right now, you’ve always been selfish and that’s why you don’t want her to remember.” Cole bursted again, glaring at Milicent.

“I’m not selfish, I care about her a lot and her past is way too dainty” Milicent mumbles silently.

“That same past has to do with your late sister, your blood!.” Cole couldn’t hide his anger.

“You saw what became of my sister, didn’t you!?, I will never allow the same thing to happen to Amelia, I couldn’t protect my sister back then but I will do everything within my power to protect Amelia” Milicent voiced out.

“If Amelia remembers her past then so be it, she deserves every right to know and no one, not even you can change that” and with that, he walked out on her, his angered expression leaving a trail of tension in the air.

Milicent digs her fingers into her hair, pulling on it as clear anxiety and guilt took over her completely.

CAN’T RUN FROM YOUR SHADOW : CHAPTERS 41 – 50

“Damn!” Roxy mutters as they stepped out of their class, Amelia, Mia and Kimberly along with her as she watched the video of Xander and Kim repeatedly.

Kim simply shakes her head as she clutched onto her books, while Amelia snickers besides her.

“I can’t believe it, so you and Xander had something going on?” Mia mutters under her breath.

“I’m just as surprised as you are” Amelia chimed in as they strode towards the exit.

The shrill voice of Maya’s sequel interrupting them as she keeps on giggling.

“What happened?” Mia asked as the girls stared at her with a quizzical look.

“Elzra and Byron are finally fixing the date for the upcoming game!!” Maya claps her hands excitedly.

“First of all, never put Elzra’s name before Byron in a sentence ever again and secondly, are you for real!?” Amelia asked with wide eyes.

“Come see for yourselves” Maya retorted and immediately all the girls except Mia ran towards the field. Mia simply dragged herself behind with lazy steps.

They all come to a screeching halt as Byron, the school’s hockey team coach, Elzra and Priyanka stood at the top of the railing, the serious look in their faces as they discussed.

“Tomorrow it is then, Are you sure you are ready?” The coach asked and Elzar smiles, Priyanka hugging herself to his side.

“I should be the one asking you that, coach, Are you guys ready for me?” Elzra asked back and Priyanka couldn’t hide her smile.

“You are way too cocky for your own good, see you at the field tomorrow noon” the coach said and immediately walked away, Byron had this sinister glint in his eyes as he stared at Elzra.

The tension is maddening at this point.

Maya, Roxy, and Mia stood behind as Amelia slowly walked up to Byron, his eyes landed on her almost immediately and and he did the next expected thing by pulling her to himself.

“You must really think you are lucky” Elzra said directly to Amelia and she looks up at Byron before facing Elzra.

“Why shouldn’t I?, Aren’t I lucky?” She retorted with sarcasm and a small laugh came from behind….. it’s definitely Roxy’s.

“Don’t get your hopes up yet, Pink witch, tomorrow, not only are we going to win, but I will make sure to rub it on your stupid face!” Priyanka spat and Amelia felt Byron’s grip on her tightened.

“You might want to stop talking” Byron snarled at Priyanka.

“And what are you going to do about it?” Priyanka shoots.

“You have a dèath wish?” Byron snarled as made to go after her but Amelia held him, rubbing his mid arms as she looks back at Priyanka.

The girls at the back simply watched the show.

“There’s one thing about me, I hate too much talks, bring it on tomorrow, we are waiting” Amelia voiced out and Priyanka face hardens.

“Oh, we are bringing it and you should better get ready” Elzra cooed.

the glint in Byron’s eyes lit up, watching Amelia put them in their places is the most hottest thing he has ever seen.

“They really think they have a chance against us” Rocky mutters out loud and the girls laughed.

“We will see who’s going to laugh last tomorrow, don’t you think so, Pink witch?” Priyanka smriks, extending her right hand towards Amelia for a hand shake.

Amelia looks at Byron, the evergreen smile on his face making her smile as well and she did the next thing she never thought she would ever do in her entire life as she takes Priyanka’s hand in a firm handshake and whispered sinisterly.

“May the best team win, losers”.

CAN’T RUN FROM YOUR SHADOW : CHAPTERS 41 – 50

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