— Zoe!— A voice called out to me, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Holly running towards me, her red hair swaying as she approached me. I looked straight ahead, noticing that the wizard had disappeared, to my relief and happiness.
She arrived in front of me, eyes red and puffy.
— Holly!
— I don't believe this, Zoe.
I frowned in confusion.
— What there was?
— You missed Jony's funeral, how could you?
I licked my dry lips, my throat tightening. How could I say I couldn't bear to see Jony buried, knowing he died because of me?
— I'm so sorry, Holly, I can't make it.
I saw her eyes fill with tears, and I pulled her into a tight hug.
— I still can't believe he died, — Holly cried into my shoulder, and I just held her tighter, using my magic to soothe her. — Argh! I hate how she manipulates me like this.
— How's Chloe doing?— I asked, releasing her.
— Shaken, — she replied sniffling, her pale skin flushed with red.
— I'll try to talk to her.
— It's a good idea, I just don't know how she's going to react. Chloe is furious with you.
I rubbed my temples, feeling tired and drained.
— Zoe?
— Yes?
— What happened that night?— I was taken aback by his question. — Why was Jony killed?
— I don't know, — I lied again that day. — I believe it was some enemy of my father, Jony was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He didn't deserve what happened.
— He was in love with you, did you know that?
Of course, I knew, I found out the hard way. I sat down quickly. Holly let out a long sigh but nodded in agreement.
— I have to go, Zoe, I'm going on a trip with my parents.
— That's a great idea.— I touched his shoulder, squeezing it.
— Be careful, okay? There are many people wanting to destroy you.
— Don't worry, I can take care of myself.
It was a lie and I knew it.
I watched from afar as Holly got into her car and started it, waving me goodbye. I froze when I saw the wizard near her car, a scary smile on his lips. I saw the exact moment he raised his hands towards Holly, felt the atmosphere shift around me, become dense, heavy. It was dark magic. My eyes widened as I reached the conclusion of his intentions.
— No!
I ran towards her, but it was too late. Holly's car burst into flames. My body was thrown away by the explosion, I fell hard to the ground and hit my head, losing consciousness.
ZOE LABONAIR
My mind was in chaos.
I didn't understand what was going on around me, my thoughts were turned to the flames consuming Holly's body, her high— pitched screams still rang in my ears, I squeezed my eyes, feeling one more tear running through them. I felt her pain and at that moment, I hated having that ability. My body burned and burned with the fire that had consumed my friend and turned her to ash.
I opened my eyes once more, blinking several times trying to see what was happening, but my vision was blurry from tears. I only saw figures before my eyes and altered voices, they were familiar voices, but at that moment I didn't understand what was happening. I felt my body being shaken several times and I focused my vision on who was in front of me, screaming my name.
— Zoe! Wake up!— My face turned at the hard slap that was delivered across my skin, my cheek stinging from the impact.
Gathering all the strength I had left, I raised my hands and pushed the body of the person who had hit me.
— Bitch!
I felt my consciousness return to my body and I gasped, my eyes widening.
— Megan!
— You asshole, — he cursed again and got up from the floor. — Is this how you thank me?
— I… I'm so sorry.— My voice was hoarse, my throat burning. I lowered my eyes, staring at the ground at my feet, trying to digest what had happened, and involuntarily my eyes filled with tears.
First Jony. Now Holly.
— No, no, — I heard Megan curse and in a split second, she was in front of me, on her knees, as she lifted my face. — Take a deep breath, don't freak out.
— And—they're dead — My voice shook. Megan grabbed my hands and squeezed them hard.
— Breathe with me, Zoe.
— I can't, — I muttered in a choked voice.
— Just…try it, okay? Come on.— His eyes stared at me steadily. — Inhale and breathe.
I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes.
— Zoe!— she called me again, and I stared at her. — Breathe with me, please.
I nodded, unable to utter a single word.
— Inhale and breathe.
I saw my chest move up and down as I followed Megan. She stroked my hand as she continued to look into my eyes, trying to comfort me, and I was grateful to have her in my life.
The explosion sounded in my mind and I squeezed my eyes shut. I swallowed hard, taking several deep breaths, trying to stay calm.
— Zoe?— I lifted my head when I heard my mother's voice call out to me. — How are you?
That was a good question. How was I?
— I don't know...
— Zoe, honey, please, — she begged, I saw her anguish and I hated myself for provoking this in her. Mom could not go through strong emotions.
— I feel…numb, — I confessed in a low voice. — It hurts, Mom.— My voice cracked.
— Oh, my love — she came closer and pulled me into a hug, I wrapped my arms around her body, squeezing her carefully so as not to hurt her. I cried into her shoulder, hoping all that pain would go away with her comforting hug, the tears welled up when I felt Dad and Megan join the hug, all trying to comfort me.
— I'm so sorry, honey, I'm so sorry — her green eyes sparkled, I felt like the worst daughter in the world at that moment for having lied and hidden the truth from her. — You shouldn't go through all this, suffer so much.
— It wasn't your fault — I passed my forearm across my face, wiping my tears and pulled away from his arms, making my whole being complaining about the removal. — It wasn't from any of you.
— Zoe...
— It was my fault.
— You chose the lie and look where we got to?
— What are you talking about, Zoe?— my dad asked, noticing my tension.
— Everything that happened with Jony and Holly was my fault. I could have avoided all of this.
— I don't understand what you mean. Their death wasn't your fault, honey.
The familiar icy sensation shot through my body, I shivered instantly. Fear hit me and rumbled through every cell in my body, hitting my racing heart.
— He's here.— My voice was nothing more than a desperate whisper. Tears trickled down my wide eyes, burning like embers as they ran down my cheeks.
— What?— I gripped my father's arm, startled.
— He's here.— He frowned, not understanding what I was saying. — He's going to get me.
— Zoe, you're scaring me, — Mom said, and I glared at Megan, realizing she understood.
— Holy shit!— she cursed and looked around, just watching as the living room bookcase was knocked to the ground by Megan. — I'm feeling you, bastard.— Show up!
An unknown and cruel laugh made me swallow hard, it was as if he was mocking my pain. My stomach twisted at the rotten smell coming from him.
— It's nice to meet you, too, Megan.
My eyes were drawn to his voice, and I found him standing in the doorway, a sardonic smile on his lips.
— It's a shame I can't say the same, — my sister countered between her teeth, I saw the witch take a few steps into the house, and it didn't take long for my father to react.