Chapter 7
Running
Aphmau
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"I have to go as well, be right back." Kim says, following Zane and Kaiya.
"Hey Aphmau!"
I turned around, and see Cathy. Alone. That seemed strange, but I just barely remembered her.
"Uh, hey Cathy..." I say, a little wary of her. Something isn't right.
"Can you come with me for a second? I wanna show you something cool!" She asks, smiling.
Aaron growls quietly, but I'm the only one who hears him.
"Um... okay?" I stand up, and follow her nervously. She leads me outside, and by an alleyway.
"Wait here for a minute." She says, before going into the alleyway.
She comes back out a moment later.
"It's in there, go look!" She pushes me into the alleyway.
I look around, confused. Then I see it.
Sorry, him.
Zane.
Lying on the ground.
Bleeding.
A bloody knife embedded in his back.
I gasp, covering my mouth.
I hear footsteps behind me.
"Aphmau!"
I whirl around.
Aaron, Kaiya, Taiya, Garroth, Vylad, Kawaii~chan, Katelyn, and Travis.
Cathy in front of them.
"What happened?! Where's Zane?!" Garroth exclaims.
Aaron runs forward and hugs me.
He must have seen Zane behind me, because he gasps.
I point behind me.
Garroth and Vylad rush over.
"Y-you didn't..." Garroth mutters.
Vylad and Kawaii~chan burst into tears.
Everyone stares at me.
"Did you?..." Garroth stares at me.
"W-what?! No!" I exclaim.
"Yes you did! Why else would you be the first one here, and alone?!" Cathy exclaims.
I back up, and bump into Aaron, looking up at him. His eyes are closed, and it seems he's thinking.
"He's still breathing!" Vylad yells.
"Call the hospital!" Kawaii~chan exclaims.
Travis pulls out his phone, and dials 911.
"What?! Oh thank Irene!" I rush over, to try and help Vylad. He pushes me away.
"Stay back, you've done enough damage." He growls.
"W-what? B-but I didn't..."
"You can't deny how it looks. As it stands, I'm sorry Aphmau, but it's hard to believe you didn't do it..." Garroth sighs. I blink back the tears in my eyes.
Kawaii~chan helps Vylad, and gives me a cold look.
Garroth stares at me sadly.
Vylad avoids looking at me completely.
Travis shakes his head sadly.
Cathy glares at me.
"Your kidding me."
Katelyn breaks the silence.
"Your fucking kidding me, right?" She glares at everyone. "You think Aphmau, our sweet little Aphmau Potato, did this?!" She points at Zane.
"Katey-"
"No, don't Katey, me! You all are stupid! Completely stupid! Aphmau would never do that! Even if it meant her life, she would never!" Katelyn smacks Travis' hand away, and backs up to me.
Aaron hasn't said anything, neither have Kaiya and Taiya.
"I..." Kaiya blinks, and holds her head.
"Kaiya?..." Taiya asks quietly.
"I'm sorry!" Kaiya exclaims, "I always try and see the logical side of things, but she's my mother, and- I'm sorry, I just... I can't..." she runs off, out of the alleyway.
"Kaiya wait!" Taiya runs after her, calling her name.
Aaron still hasn't said anything. His eyes are closed.
Cathy walks over to him, and attempts to grab his hand.
"I'm sorry Aaron, I know your engaged to her, but-"
"Don't. Talk to me." Aaron growls quietly, swatting her hand away. "Katelyn is right."
Garroth opens his mouth.
And everyone starts yelling.
I can't take this.
I can't, I can't.
My daughters are being torn between their family and common sense.
My friends are arguing and tearing themselves apart.
Katelyn and Travis are on the verge of breakup.
My fiance is leaving all the friends he's made and the work he's done to keep them behind, just for me.
I can't, I can't do this.
Cathy stands there. She looks proud.
Sirens sound in the distance. Ambulance and police are on their way.
I run.
I run, just like I have from all my problems.
I ran from Garroth.
I ran from the Guardian Forces.
I'm running from this.
"Aphmau, wait!"
I hear someone calling me.
I don't know who, I'm not paying attention.
I don't stop.
I don't stop, until I'm outside someone's house. I don't know whose, probably a strangers.
I fall to my knees, and start crying.
"Oh my..." I hear someone walk over.
"Are you okay dear?" It sounds like and old woman. I look up at her. She's definitely old. Pale-skinned, with lavender hair and a witches hat. She looks so familiar. Then I recognize her.
"H-Hyria?..."
She smiles.
"Good to see you Aphmau. Though I must say, it's a surprise to see you after high school." She says.
I nod, wiping away my tears. Was I crying? I don't know.
I wasn't paying attention.
Hyria helps me stand, and brings me into her house.
"Here you go." She puts tea in front of me, and smiles.
"Now, would you like to tell me what's wrong?"