20; im not sleeping with Bella

Just to clarify; the burning didn't leave. It's warmth lingered over Elias' heart in a reminder, scorning and ripping his chest open with every pump of his heart.

It stripped the parts of him he liked and brought to the surface the things he wanted gone. For the first time in Eli's life, he didn't control the fire, he didn't know how. Instead he withered in the pain, the burn, trying to push it away, trying to not think, trying everything to cope.

Nothing helped. The pain won, so Elias was left feeling like he was a walking tragedy, as if others could see the open wound he had, reminding him of everything he lost.

The months ticked by too. October slowed like someone had paused the world, November passed in a dazed blink. The rest varied in those different reaction, but one thing stayed the same- Elias burned on.

And Bella screamed. Desperate and terrorised, the sound coming from deep in her lungs and causing chills to prick on Eli's arms. He acted on well used instinct, throwing the half smoked cigarette out the open window he was leaning out of before rushing to his feet to run towards his friend.

"Hey, hey, hey," Elias calls out over the screams, trying to grab Bella's form as she thrashes in her bed. It takes a moment before he can get a grip on her arms, to still her, and the noise stops as his touch jerks her awake.

"You're okay," Eli promises smoothly, watching as her dark eyes dart around his face, taking in his features, his calm flat grey eyes, his tight pressed lips.

"Sorry," she chokes out, sitting up until her backs pressed against the headboard. Eli moved with her, his hands still stuck on her quivering arms, rubbing them for her comfort. "I'm sorry," she repeats.

Eli shakes his head, "S'okay," he assures, like he always does every night this happens, slowly letting her go and moving his legs around until he's sat in the same position she's in, letting both of them lean into each other as she gets her bearings back.

The rooms almost too quiet though, compared to the noise it held a moment ago. It's just the rushed breath of the two humans, one a little more unsteady than the other. It makes Eli's ears ring and he feels the urge to grab the headphones from bellas table, to drowned out the silence- or was it his own thoughts that seemed to get louder when everything stilled?- but music made his skin crawl now, too.

"Did I wake my dad?" Bella whispers, teeth chattering as she still shakes like always in the moments after her nightmare.

"Come here," Eli mutters, lifting one arm up. Bella crawls into his embrace, her fingers spreading over his clothed ribs in attempt to warm them up.

"Thanks," she sighs, and Eli catches how she closes her eyes to bask in the warmth his body emits. It brings him peace, knowing he helps, as much as he can.

"And no, you didn't wake him up, I can still feel him downstairs," the curly haired boy answers her initial question, after a brief pause to calculate his surroundings.

Its like thermal imagining, but Eli doesn't have to use a camera to know where his surroundings pulse with warmth and where it doesn't. It's annoying to notice, like a itch he can't scratch, especially since he can't turn it off.

"Was it the same nightmare?" The boy asks tentatively, trying to ignore his own gift as it tries sparking to life to try read more into the heat around them.

Bella hums as a answer, her cheek rubbing against Eli's shirt as she spoke again, "were you asleep?"

Eli scoffs lightly, thought it holds non of his old sarcasm, or much of any emotion. "Smoking," he answers, and Bella sighs a little higher than usual, as if she was trying to laugh at herself for asking in the first place but couldn't laugh anymore.

We weren't much of anything, anymore, Eli realises. The pair of them weren't anything. Other than desperate to get rid of their pain, to find a solution that brought them the ease of breathing easy and clearing their mind. But what was that?

To Bella, it was him coming back, to assure her that the months they shared together weren't a part of her imagination, which it felt like. He took every proof he ever existed and left only the absence of his presence.

For Elias....he didn't know. He didn't know if he wanted the pain to go, because at least his suffering showed he lost something in the first place. But reasonably, he knew he couldn't live his life like this- because that's what he had now. A full life to live, alone, no more future plans to end it or anything else he'd originally had with him.

How was someone supposed to function, to learn to live again, when their future and everything they held dear to them got ripped away? No, Eli thinks darkly, his heart burning like someone poked a hot iron through his chest, as his future and everything he held dear to him walked away?

"Elle?" Bella questions, aware from how his eyes glass over of the turmoil going on inside his head; that or Eli was sure she just knew, like he knew where heat was, she knew he was hurting without eyes, ears or any other sense.

"Yeah?" Elias whispers back, looking away from where he'd been spaced out and staring through the still open window and back to the brunette wrapped with him.

She blinks, her eyes uncertain and a little hesitant. Elias waits patiently, knowing whatever she's thinking must be important.

"How did your nightmares stop?" She asks, biting her lip. "The room full of smoke, the fire... how did it stop taking over your dreams as you slept?"

Elias knows his answer and knows it's not going to satisfy her want to stop her own nightmares. "Something worse took its place," he sighs, looking away from her and back out the open window again as his pain flares again.

Reality took its place.

•••

"You're shirtless," Charlie Swan says the words in a surprised accusation.

Elias looks down at himself, his shirt was gone since he'd half dressed after his morning shower. It meant his heart was still curly and wet and the tanned skin and lean muscles of his chest and torso were free to the occupants of the kitchen. Which is just him and Charlie, who Elias didn't hear come in.

He blinks slowly, then looks back at the police officer. "I'm not sleeping with Bella," he states in a almost bored tone.

Charlie shifts under his dead gaze, unsure how to proceed with the teen."I wasn't-" he starts.

"-Well, I am," Elias frowns, thinking it over, to every night he tries catching rest next to her, both holding onto each other as if it'll help them hold onto themselves.

"In the innocent sense. But I won't be having sex with her," he nods at him. Sure the conversations over, he turns back towards the rounded fridge, pulling out a water bottle.

"Okay," the chief coughs, scratching his moustache, watching him for a moment to see if he'll speak up any other conversation. When he doesn't, Charlie mutters a apologetic, "Um, David, I mean your dad, is outside waiting for you."

Elias head snaps up, the first true spark of emotion appearing on his face- annoyance. "Why?"

Charlie smiles sympathetically. He likes Elias, despite the dead gaze and deep monotonous voice. His presence positively effected Bella- the nights he wasn't there Bellas nightmares got worse, everything about her did.

"Sorry Elias, he didn't tell me he was coming. He just told me to send you out," he makes a hand movement to the kitchen windows, where they can see the car parked waiting, "He's persistent."

Elias feels the first sparks of anger appear, but like the other emotions, they don't stay, not anymore at least. Nothing really did- he learnt that the hard way.

"Thanks Charlie," he mutters, voice pained at his own thoughts. Eli shuts the fridge, stepping past the man and going for the stairs when he speaks again.

"You don't have to come back, you know." Elias stops still, turning back to the man, his face torn in betrayal. Charlie shakes his head, wanting the expression gone- it was worse than no emotion. "I mean you're always welcome here, you know that, and you've been a massive help with Bells, but I want you to feel responsible of her well-being."

At least Elias knew where Bella got her trait of taking things on by herself. "Bella helps me, too," the boy promises, his tone wobbling with emotion for the first time.

He's quick to walk out the kitchen after, not wanting to see Charlie's reaction. Eli takes two steps a time up the stairs, hurrying since he knows from past experience that his dad will come into the house if enough time passes.

The bedroom doors open, so Eli can see how Bella is waiting for him as he walks in, her face pulled into a frown as she glances outside at David's car.

"I have to go," he tells her, though she probably already knows.

He starts picking up some of his belongings- pieces of him are thrown throughout the room, shorts in the second draw, hoodies hung on the door, completed homework on the lest side of the wooden desk.

Bella watches him pack the minimal amount of things in a backpack with a sigh. "Have to?"

"My dads being difficult again," he explains, knowing he'll probably be forced to stay at home. It won't stop him from coming back tomorrow though, they all know that.

He zips his bag, going to swing it on his back when remembering he's not wearing a shirt. Reaching into a draw that's full of his belongings, he grabs the first one he touches and pulls it on.

"I'll try be back tonight if we don't start arguing. If I'm not then come collect me in the morning?" he asks, worry shining through as he looks around the room and her.

"I'll be there at seven," Bella promises, and her hands shake as she runs them through her hair. "Will you be alright?"

"Yeah..." Eli croaks, wincing as he thinks about his house, of the memories there.

"Ring me if you need me," he enforces, going over to his best friend and pressing a short kiss to her hairline, noticing the way she sighs.

"I will. Be safe," she bids, and Eli pretends not to notice how she watches him leave the room with uncertainty, as if she's not going to see him ever again. He feels the same way- a side effect of when people you love leave like it's nothing, you're always worried others will too.

The first thing Eli notices when he gets in the car is that David looks older. There's gray on the stubble of his jaw and a tired look in his narrowed eyes. The guilt that crashes into Eli is like a wave, so different from his usual burn it's like he's being pulled in two different directions.

I'm sorry. He wants to say. But nothing comes out his mouth, not even a greeting, and it causes David's hands to tighten on the steering wheel as he starts to drive.

"You're worrying us again," David breaks the silence, voice as worn as he looks.

Eli's shaped brows pull together, "I don't mean to, you know that."

David winces, the dead tone of his sons voice is as horrible as nails on a chalkboard. "You can't keep running to Bella," he snaps. He's angry, Eli realises- he's not as good at reading people as he used to be.

"I don't run to her, she's my friend," Elias says strongly, because people are confusing the two now apparently.

"You need separation from each other, you can't spend every minute together," he argues, pursing his lips, casting a hopeful look at his expressionless son, "What if I get you a job in the shop?"

"No," Eli says simply.

The downright refusal surprises David. "What?"

Elias blinks, wondering what part of his words are confusing, "I don't want to. I don't like people, you know that. I don't want to work an hour away, either."

"You need to be around people Elias," David argues back, "it's healthy, being around people, socialising."

The argument seems stupid at this point."I go to school, I go to Bellas-"

David slams his hand onto the wheel, stopping Eli taking even before he shouts, "You practically live with her, it's not right! You should be with at home!"

Elias gets why he's started this then. David misses him at the house, or maybe it was he misses the old Elias. The one that would have snapped something back at his dad, to defend himself until the breath ran out of his lungs.

But that guys gone, buried. That Elias broke when he left.

Elias doesn't say anything else, choosing to look out the window, spending the rest of ride trying to occupy his mind in guessing what type of trees they drive past. He wants to change, he does. He wants the old Elias back- the one before Forks, before him.

David storms out the car and into the house as soon as they pull up- slamming both doors on his way. Elias watches him go, half tempted to make a run for the woods...if only his dad wouldn't find a way to track him down.

Sighing, Elias exits the car, walking up the drive with his eye sight dropped to the floor. It's easier, if he doesn't look around, if he ignores everyone and just goes to the one place in the house that isn't tainted by his presence; Easton's room.

And Easton, he's the perfect distraction to Eli's mind, like always. Elias, for the first time in what feels like forever, feels himself smile as he opens Easton's bedroom door and sees him on the little single bed decorated in star quilts and a million pillows.

"Hey buddy," he calls, dropping his backpack near the door.

"Hey Elle!" The nine year olds shouts excitedly, moving on his bed until there's space next to him for his brother. "Come here and watch this," he urges, banging his hand on the bed.

Elias sits next to him, cocking a questioning eyebrow when spotting the familiar laptop on his brothers lap.

"I got this from your room," the curly haired kid laughs nervously, knowing he's been taught he has to ask before taking things, "I hope it's okay."

How can he ask if you're not here?

"It's fine," Elias whispers, shaking away the horrible thought. Easton wouldn't want this Elias round- the one that makes everyone walk on eggshells, the one that's ready to crumble in the house that should be home. "You can get what you want from there," he promises.

Easton grins, eyes lightening up at the power of Eli's words. Elias reaches over, running his fingers over the mouse pad to see what video Easton's paused. "What are we watching?"

"Nemo," Eaton hums, pressing play and moving the laptop so they both can watch the film together.

"What's your favourite fish?" The older Sherwood asks, knowing the simple question is loaded for Easton. Like expected, the boy bursts into talking about the film and the characters, making it easier for Elias to forget everything else as he listen to Easton.

•••

Elias doesnt know when he falls asleep, but he knows the minute he's awake from the fact his heads banging with a headache. The curly haired boy groans, opening his eyes to grasp his surroundings, half expecting to see Bella's familiar room.

The rooms dark, but space themed- meaning he passed out somewhere when Easton was talking. Eli sits up, noticing he's got a cover over him, meaning that Eli's mom must have come in at one point, since he didn't grab it.

Slowly, Eli takes the small arm across his throat and lift its off him. Easton was a starfish sleeper, much to Eli's dismay. He's sure he's got a dozen bruises from the accidental sleepover since the kid threw limbs around like a warning.

Getting up, Eli carefully tucks the quilt over Easton again and places the laptop on the floor before blindly tracing to the bedroom door in the dark. He needed a drink, and some painkillers for his head.

Not bothering to turn any lights on since he knows that'll worsen his headache- and he doesn't want to look at anything since it'll only bring up memories he's trying to forget- Eli's steps are slow and silent. Meaning that when he's near the top of the stairs, he can hear the voice downstairs in almost full clarity.

"No, no I don't know what to do," David whispers in dismay and his feet make a specific repeating pattern on the floor as he paces around.

Eli freezes, waiting for his moms voice too, but David waits a moment, then scoffs out, "Lifeless, is the word you're liking for."

He's on the phone, Eli realises, and talking about me from the sounds of it. The grey eyed boy feels his face scrunch. Who to? His uncle? Eli hoped not, the last thing he needed was Benji getting wind of Eli's state in full extent.

David sighs again, so full of frustration. "I don't know Charlie, I've had my heart broken before but I've never reacted like that. I've never seen anyone react like that..." he trails off, listening to the reply on the phone.

Elias waits too, despite the way half of his mind tells him to leave- that nothing good can come from listening to his dad hurt from Eli hurting- and the way his heart aches in his chest.

"He won't tell me anything," David says, clearing up whatever Charlie's said or asked. "He hasn't for months. Every-time we ask about the Cullens, or what happened to make him like this, he leaves or goes quiet."

Oh, Eli almost chokes at the sound of their name. His knees go weak as the pain from his heart explodes, making him slowly start to sit down, just incase he falls. No, no, he needs to leave, he can't handle this conversation, even if he's not in it physically, he can't handle hearing it.

"I haven't ever seen Elias like this, either, well..." David's voice trails off, his feet stop hitting the floor. Elias, over the sound of his pounding heart, can hear the despair bleed from his dad as he speaks. "When we first adopted him, he was so timid, always jumping, and quiet too. You always found him hiding in the corner of the room like he was trying to make everyone forget he was there."

Oh... not what Eli was expecting; some part of his mind opens up to those old memories, like cutting open a scar. He'd tries burying them, since he didn't like that version of himself- it took forever to change from that person, that kid. He wasn't Elias Sherwood then, he was Hayden Cole.

"I know," David hums, like he's agreeing with whatever Charlie says. "His social worker at the time said his birth parents might have been abusive. If not physically, at least emotionally. But he never told anyone what they did, only about the fire and how they left him alone."

No, no they didn't hit me, Elias almost speaks up, his mind thudding in pain as he thinks back to those foggy childhood memories. They were bad, but just because he was alone all the time, and they neglected most of his basic needs because they weren't there. He doesn't ever remember anything else before that, nothing as horrible as his dad was thinking.

Why would you think that dad? I wasn't that bad when I was younger, surely. Just jumpy and shy. I wasn't as broken as you remember, I swear...

But David's memory on the outside was better than Eli's younger view, surely. So he must have been like that.

How bad was I, to make you think that?

"That's what I was thinking. Something... horrible, happened to make him like that last time. And now, now it's worse, so it makes me wonder exactly what happened to make him spiral, for both of them spiral, this time. There's something they haven't told us."

They think they did something horrible to him, to Bella? Something worse than just leaving, something like emotional abuse? No, no that's not right. It wasn't, that's not it, we're grieving for the life we wanted, for the people we lost. They weren't horrible monsters, they never was.

But on the outside, not knowing of the world Eli and Bella knew, of how beautiful those they loved was, it sure as hell looks like that.

How bad am I right now, to make you think like that?

Eli's hand comes up to his neck, fingers going over the scar lining it as his eyes water. Eli didn't know that his did felt like that... he didn't know he was that bad. Sure, Eli knew he was different now, that his presence made people react different, but he never would have guessed it was as bad as when he was younger.

David sounds like he's crying too, or at least he was tearing up for a moment. He sniffed out a cough, yet his voice still shook as he spoke into the phone again, "He got better, yeah," he assured, saying the revelation like it might happen again, "We had to move town first though."

Elias gets up, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, to stumble back to Easton's room to get his phone. He needed to ring Bella and warn her about what kind of conversations their parents are having.

•••

The next morning is dreary, partially because dark grey clouds cover the sky- meaning it seems later on despite being morning- partially because Elias knows there's a chance Charlie will force Bella to leave Forks.

There's a frown on Bellas face as she pulls up at seven, just like she said she would. Elias jumps into the truck, eager to get away from his house, from his parents watchful gaze from the kitchen window.

"You're not leaving, are you?" Elias asks straight away, breathing hard at the possibility.

Bella shakes her head instantly, "Of course not," she grimaces, "thanks for the heads up, though. I had chance to make excuses to Charlie's argument this morning."

Eli hums, leaning his head back against the seat, relaxing knowing she isn't going anywhere. "What did he end up saying?"

"Apparently I need to get out more, you need to get out more. We don't have any will to live," she quotes, chest heaving like she wants to scoff, or laugh, but can't find it in herself to do it.

Elias scoots over, leaning his head onto her dainty shoulder for comfort. "So, what's the outcome?"

She winces. "I had to make plans with Jessica tonight," her dread is clear, especially as she adds, "and you're not allowed to come, girls night."

Elias sits up straight, appalled that he's being left out. "What the hell am I supposed to do tonight then?" He grumbles.

•••

He has to go home, that's what he has to do.

He tries walking around Forks for a while, but he knows his odd actions will get back to his mom and dad from the residents. If gossip was gold, then the occupants of Forks would be millionaires.

So, he goes back, as much as he doesn't want to. There's a reason he doesn't like his house, a reason he avoids it unless important or forced to. He doesn't really remember leaving it months back, only the action of packing clothes into a bag and escaping to Bellas.

He still comes back, for Easton. He won't stay in the house, but he- and sometimes Bella- will take Easton to a park or diner. The system worked, for months, until his dad dragged him back in those odd days. The days where Elias comes into the house, but doesn't look around it.

The house hurts his chest, more than the constant burn that's there anyway. The house reminds Elias of him.

The front door shuts quietly behind him. Elias takes in the hallway as if he's never saw it- it feels foreign, like a strangers home.

It takes him a moment realise it's because his presence isn't there. There's none of his coats on the hooks, no shoes or skateboard thrown near the door. His mom doesn't scream his name in welcome as he enters, either. She walks into hallway with wide eyes, muttering a shocked, "Elias, you're back."

He nods, not knowing how to speak to her, to stop the guilt bleeding through him. Elias wants to be here, but even the hallway almost brings him to his knees.

I want to go to the places he never tainted.

"Do you want me to help me with dinner? You can chop the vegetables," she offers through a tense smile, "I'm making barbecue chicken."

Elias nods again, trying to smile back to her but it lacks... everything. It comes off with a more twitch to his lips.

He focuses intently on following her orders, trying to drown out the fire that threatens to consume him- every memory came back to him every time he's in the house. The kisses, the touches, the promises of a life together.

Exhaling, Eli focuses on cutting up some tomato's, waiting for his moms next instructions when she leans up to turn the radio on for him, since that used to calm him. He stiffens as Oasis comes blaring out, specifically Champagne Supernova.

-Flashes of a happy smile on a beautiful face, the shine of his blond hair as Eli tucks it behind his hear, the feeling of hands ghosting on his, twirling him, dancing in a bedroom without a care in the world-

Eli jolts like he's been electrocuted, the knife clattering across the marble countertop. Eli ignores it as he sends one of his trembling hands to turn the radio off.

"I thought you liked this band?" Cassandra questions, not noticing his reaction, or the clang of the knife over the crackling of hot oil as she flips some breaded chicken over in a pan.

Elias breaths out heavily, shaky hands forming steady fists. "I don't care for music that much anymore," he uttered quietly, ignoring the pain, trying to push those memories into a cage- he's good at that, until something triggers them.

"Elle! You're here again!" A young and excited voice screams, the perfect distraction. He turns, feeling himself lighten, almost float, as he takes his brothers running form into his arms.

"Hey buddy," he greets, forcing a smile despite the fact it feels unnatural this time. "How are you? How was school?"

Easton takes the chance to talk, capturing Elias' whole attention- the only person to, other than Bella.

Elias gladly listens to his little brother the whole time they eat too, pretending not to notice the way his parents cast side glances at him. Easton is a easy kid to look after, even easier to talk to. It makes Elias love him more.

It's after they've finished dinner, when Elias is helping Easton do his math homework when his dad finally speaks up.

"Okay East, go get changed into your pyjamas, it's almost bed time," he orders softly, eyes never leaving Eli.

Easton leaves with a pout, oblivious to the tension, much like his brother. As soon as he clears the room and his feet start slap against the stairs his dad opens his mouth.

"We want to move back to California."

Elias knew he was going to start off with that.

"I told you no the first time you asked," he mutters, standing up too, going to clean away the pencils he and Easton was using when his dad utters a stern, "Sit down Elias."

Elias exhales, not wanting to argue- which is all they seem to do now- yet sits back down at the table. "What now?"

"You can't revolve your life around Bella for a distraction to your pain," his mom starts, her hand coming to stretch over the table to rest on Eli's.

Elias moves his hand away from her, their words cutting deep. "It's not a distraction, she's my best friend," he says through his teeth, starting to get fed up.

"You're too dependant on each other, you've replaced your loss of a boyfriend with each other," David's shows how much it hurts to admit his own son doesn't depend on him. Cassandra grabs hold of his hand now, her thin lips wobbling.

"She's my best friend, we like spending time together, it makes us happy," Eli enforces again, voice sounding funny over the word 'happy.'

"You're not happy though! You're not yourself!" David shouts, to the edge of his patience. "You've changed," he seethes, pure anger forming in his eyes as his son doesn't argue back like he used to, making them almost black, "You've changed because of Jasper-"

His moms elbows David, cutting him off. The mention of his name makes Elias crumble, the fire in his heart exploding around him like a firework. Eli's glad he's sat down now as his vision swirls, as pain forms against his skull, as his breathing glitches.

"Shut up," he croaks, hands coming to pull against his hair, half speaking to his parent and half to himself as every memory comes back.

"Baby, I'm sorry you got your heart broke, I am," his mom cries, trying to reach for him but he flinches back, not wanting her to touch him, as if she'll feel the pain by skin to skin contact.

"Please stop talking mom," Eli begs, looking away, waiting for pain to stop so he can get up and leave, to not be so paralysed. Push the memories away Elias.

"No Elias. Thus isn't normal, you're supposed to learn to get over heartbreak, not close in on yourself forever. It's hurting us to see you hurt," she shakes her brown haired head, her voice full of helpless worry.

"We want you to go to a therapist," David finally says, no room for argument.

Those sparks of anger fly at Elias, the emotion the most he's felt in months. He stands abruptly, still burning in pain, emotional and physical as his head swims dangerously. The curly haired boy half runs out of the room, ignoring their calls.

Elias' chest heaves as he races up the stairs, falling into the safety of his room like he used to do when he stayed at home, momentarily caught up in emotions that he forgets to think. It's always down to that- block the memories, or block the emotions. Never both.

He elbows the door open, the sight of his bedroom knocks his heart out further. The rooms a complete mess, clothes thrown everywhere since the last time he was in there was halfway through a panic attack as he raced to leave to Bellas.

...But pieces of him is stitched into the walls, the bed, everything. Elias isn't sure if he's imagining it, crazy does describe him well right now, but he swears the scent in the air is his.

The headache pulses, Elias' stomach flips. He moves again, his body a mixture of emotional burning and physical burning as he runs into the bathroom- he touches the door as he goes and smells the crisp burn of wood just before he throws up.

This isn't right. He thinks, but can't focus on which part of his life it's directed at.

After it's all brought up Elias falls back onto the floor, resting his head against the wall, exhaustion falling over him. The momentary confusion of why his body was burning and why he was throwing up has pushed away his panic attack and the memories; meaning his hands are cooling when they touch the tile floor.

"Are you sick, Elle?" Easton's utters timidly.

Elias turns his head, having not heard him come in or notice him standing at the door that connects their shared bathroom to his room. His pale face is scared, blue eyes wide, his tattered wolf teddy is clutched in his hands.

Still panting, Elias nods, trying to arrange his features to reassure Easton as he says, "I think I am sick, but I'll be alright buddy." Emotionally sick, maybe a little mentally sick too.

Easton frowns, nose wrinkling as he looks near the toilet. His blue eyes light up, "You know what makes me feel better when I'm sick? Ice cream," he grins, passing the soft wolf teddy to his big brother. "I'll go steal us some," he giggles, already running out the bathroom.

Elias sinks further into the tiles, wishing they'd open up and swallow him.

Sorry if yall got a double notification, I published this by accident earlier. Again, the chapter has new scenes and lines, making it twice as long... and angsty.

Elias has changed, can you tell?

Don't be a silent reader!