The Unexplained

Chapter 15

He tenses as he continues to treat Abby's leg, and she raises an eyebrow. "I thought your father-"

"He sent me here on some business." He says quickly, not looking in any of our eyes, "I was just stopping by, to check in, when I saw Cas and noticed three of you were gone."

I blink. "Three?..."

"Conner. He's not here."

My eyes widen, and I purse my lips, glancing out the window.

Moirai?...

He doesn't respond, but after a few moments, there's a stirring in my mind.

Ah, sorry, I was deep in thought.

About?

Nothing you should concern yourself with.

Right...I'm just checking in since you're normally not this quiet.

Murders aren't planned out loud y'know. A soft, pleasant chuckle echoes through my head and I smile to myself.

I'll leave you to that then.

He recedes back into his corner and I glance up to see Austin staring at me, guilt in his eyes, but he quickly walks away when we lock eyes. I hesitate before I stand and follow him. "Austin wait!" I stop in the doorway to the room we share, and he turns to look at me. "Please don't blame yourself..." I whisper, genuine, and I realize how much my actions may have hurt him.

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair, looking away. "You know it's not that easy...i-if I hadn't-"

"No," I say firmly, cutting him off. "I ran, and that's my own fault..." I step in and shut the door behind me. "And I'm sorry, for reacting the way I did..."

He simply looks down. "It's fine. I understand," he says. "And I'm sorry...for being so...forward..." he looks like he's trying to find the right word.

I sigh and I sit on the edge of the bed. "Austin I'm just not ready for anything...I mean, I do care about you...a lot...but not in the way you probably do for me." I glance at him to see him nod slowly, in understanding.

"I...can respect that." He smiles slightly. "And ah..." He laughs nervously. "Thanks for not punching me. At all. Even if I do deserve it for some of the things I've done..."

I laugh softly, shaking my head. "Better watch out!..." I tease, punching him gently.

He smiles slightly, looking down at his hands, before up at me. "Phe?..."

"Yeah?" I had been about to open the door, but I turn, looking over my shoulder.

"Can we just...forget about what happened?..." I raise an eyebrow, and he quickly continues. "I-I mean...be friends..."

I smile. "Of course..." I open the door and I walk out, just as the large wolf I've grown accustomed to brushes past me. I blink and turn, an eyebrow raised. "Conner?"

The white-furred predator turns his head to look at me, and for a moment, I can see a strange sort of pain in his eyes, a kind I recognize, before it's gone. He turns and keeps walking, going to the bathroom and the door shuts moments later.

Jack said he left...when did he leave? After Abby left to save me?

And...why?

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the opening of a door. I quickly walk out to see Jack patting Abby's shoulder. She looks upset.

"Are you leaving?..." I walk over, and Jack looks at me.

"Sadly...yes. I have to finish the orders my father gave me." He gives me a slight smile, before stepping outside and shutting the door behind him.