Chapter 39. Valerie

Alyn

I could hear them.

The blue colors of the room surrounded me. Always there. Always taunting.

Bitterness swelled inside me. I hadn't gone outside for days. All the stares were too much.

Once they would look at me with smiles, hanging on to my words. They supported me.

And now I was a pariah.

I hated it.

And it was all her fault.

Their muffled voices rang through the room as they arrived. A few moments ago, they had come to my door assuring me to resolve things, to talk to Tristan.

Now that they were back, they had to have some good news.

It was night, so they no doubt thought I was asleep. Good.

I leaned against the door, waiting for what they would say. It was quiet at first. Too quiet.

It shouldn't be quiet.

“Alyn made a mistake. It…it had to be a mistake.”

Hope filled my chest. My good, sweet parents. They were always so good to me. So easy.