[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322C9288E-208":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},208,21,"Chapter 21: \"I'm Not Leaving Again.\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She was drenched in cold sweat from the pain, yet she desperately wished this path would last forever. She didn't want a destination; she didn't want dawn; she didn't want the rain to stop. Most of all, she didn't want Lucas Powell to leave her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It's pouring outside, no basketball tonight. How about a round of Werewolf?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Voices drifted in from the hallway as several people pushed open the door and entered the living room. Eden Anderson watched as Lucas walked in behind the group, his gray T-shirt damp from the storm. Strands of his dark hair clung to his forehead, shimmering with tiny droplets of rain.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He seemed even paler than she remembered from their childhood. But suddenly, Eden felt a sharp, hollow ache—the dimming light in his eyes made his pallor seem fragile, almost breakable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">While she was lost in thought, a card was shoved into her hand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once everyone had circled the coffee table, Easton Ward declared himself the \"narrator,\" and the game started abruptly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Night has fallen! Close your eyes! Everyone, close them!\" Easton urged.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden glanced at her card—the Werewolf—and gently closed her eyes. Lucas’s image remained burned into her mind, mingling with Molly Lee’s earlier words, making her chest tighten with agonizing persistence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Werewolves, open your eyes. Werewolves, wake up!\" Easton continued.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden slowly opened her eyes, immediately locking gazes with Lucas, who had also opened his. A lump formed in her throat; the corners of her eyes grew damp.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Molly had said he was moving to London.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Such a long, unreachable distance.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But Molly had also said that with a fresh start, he would be much happier.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Suddenly, a metallic, copper taste flooded her mouth. Her nose felt wet. She raised a hand to touch it and saw blood.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Werewolves, who will you kill tonight...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lucas froze. He reached for the tissue box on the table and hurriedly shoved a handful of tissues at her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden took them, covering her nose and whispering a breathless \"Thanks,\" before bolting toward the sink on the far side of the living room. The others opened their eyes and scrambled to their feet, calling out in concern.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you okay, Eden?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you alright, Eden? Why are you having a nosebleed all of a sudden?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden turned on the faucet, washing her face while she looked back to reassure them. \"It's nothing. Just a bit of heat stroke from the season change. Keep playing, I'll be back in a second!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The others settled back down, but Lucas walked over to her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Did you need something?\" Eden asked, keeping her head low as she pumped soap into her hands.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lucas hesitated, his feet dragging. \"I'm transferring schools. I'm leaving for London. Bryce asked me for some reference books a while ago—I'll leave them with you later, could you pass them along to him?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure,\" Eden said, scrubbing her hands until they turned red, her voice trembling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I should go then.\" Lucas turned to leave.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wait...\" Eden suddenly spun around, swallowing her sobs. \"When are you leaving? Bryce said he wanted to play basketball with you over summer break...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Tomorrow,\" he said, looking back. \"I'm leaving tomorrow.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He locked eyes with her and added, \"Once I leave this time, I'm never coming back.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I see. Safe travels,\" Eden said, her voice sounding like it was filled with jagged glass. She turned away quickly, tilting her head back to hold back the tears, but a single drop escaped, melting into the white soap foam on her hands.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The living room speakers were playing a melancholic ballad.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Should have known it was a bubble, popping at a touch. Just like a broken heart, unable to endure the torture.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Love is just a bubble; blame me for not seeing through it, which is why I’m in such pain.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She thought she had already seen through love.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But why did it still hurt so much?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden didn't return to the game. She retreated to the bedroom and climbed into bed early. Outside, thunder rumbled, and the heavy rain drummed against the windowpane. She tossed and turned, her body exhausted, yet sleep refused to come.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her insomnia was back, and she had forgotten her medication.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Memories flickered in her mind like a montage. She realized then that she remembered every single word Lucas had ever said to her, down to the color and style of his shirts.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But what did that mean? Did it mean she was in love with him?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">And what did her love even matter?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was just love. Nothing more.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her love couldn't make him stay, and it certainly couldn't make him love her back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her love had never been of any use.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The bedroom door creaked open as Shelby Rivera and Molly entered, climbing into their bunks. The two of them seemed exhausted; after a quick greeting to Eden, they drifted off to sleep within minutes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden lay awake for a while until she suddenly felt a piercing cold, shivering uncontrollably even under her blanket. She climbed out to adjust the thermostat, only to be hit by a wave of sharp, cramping pain in her lower abdomen. She checked the calendar—she was due for her period. The lack of sleep had likely triggered an early arrival.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She shuffled to the bathroom, changed, and felt a sudden, parched thirst on her way back through the living room. She grabbed an unopened bottle of mixed fruit juice, took a few gulps, and climbed back into bed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Shelby stirred from the movement, groggily asking where she’d been. Eden murmured that it was just her period and told her to go back to sleep.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A while later, Eden felt her head becoming unnaturally heavy. Her throat grew dry and raw. Worse, she found it difficult to breathe, and an intense wave of nausea washed over her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She couldn't hold it anymore. She scrambled out of bed, leaning against the walls to steady herself as she made her way to the bathroom. Passing the coffee table, she glanced at the juice bottle and felt a jolt of panic—it contained an ingredient she was allergic to. She locked the bathroom door and heaved over the toilet for what felt like an eternity, but since she’d barely eaten, she only brought up clear, watery bile.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her body felt like a drained husk. Her stomach twisted, her head throbbed, and her vision blurred. She clawed her way to the door and reached for the knob, but her fingers lacked the strength to even turn the lock.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why are you here?\" Shelby’s voice drifted from the living room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Just grabbing water from the fridge. You?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden wasn't feeling well tonight. I heard her go into the bathroom a while ago and she hasn't come out, so I came to check on her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"She's not feeling well?\" Lucas’s voice.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"She's... it's that time of the month,\" Shelby said vaguely.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden desperately twisted the door handle. Finally, the two outside heard the metallic clicking from the bathroom door.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden?\" Lucas called out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She tried to answer, but her voice was a faint, pathetic rasp, too weak even for her to hear.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She slumped against the wall, sliding down until she was sitting on the cold tiles.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Suddenly, a heavy thud against the wood—Lucas was ramming the door. A moment later, the lock gave way, and he burst in. His brow knitted into a sharp line the moment he saw her. \"Where does it hurt?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden tried to speak, but only managed a pained grimace.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lucas pressed a palm to her forehead and recoiled at the heat. He crouched, hoisted her onto his back without a word, and stood up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is she okay?\" Shelby asked, following them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"She's burning up. I'm taking her to the hospital.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It's so late, and the rain is so bad. You won't find a cab, how can you—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lucas didn't wait. He charged out into the storm with Eden on his back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The nearest hospital was a thirty-minute drive. Was he really planning to carry her all the way there?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Shelby chased them to the door, grabbed an umbrella, and shoved it into Eden’s hand. Eden’s grip was weak, but she managed to hold on.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Be careful!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before Shelby could finish, Lucas sprinted into the downpour.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden rested her head on his shoulder, pressing her scorching cheek against his cold, soaked T-shirt.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hold on, we're almost there,\" Lucas panted, his breath ragged as he ran.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*We?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Just hold on, we're almost there.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden, how can you be this strong when you're sick? I can't imagine how I'm going to endure your endless bullying for the rest of my life.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden slowly lifted her head, staring at the dark, uneven road that swayed before her eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The rain washed over the night. The road seemed to have no end.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Could it really have no end?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">If he just kept running, carrying her, it wouldn't matter where he took her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As long as she was with him, anywhere was fine.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her body was drenched in cold sweat, shivering violently. It felt as if someone were clamping her nose and mouth shut, making every breath a battle. Yet, she hoped this path would take forever.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Don't let there be a destination. Don't let dawn come. Don't let the rain stop.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Don't let Lucas leave her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The rain intensified, slamming against her body with icy, bone-chilling force. She saw Lucas’s hair matted down, his pale face drained of all color.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She suddenly wanted to ask him: *In all the years we were apart, was the rain in your life this heavy, too?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*When you were drenched, were you cold? Were you in pain?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">How could he not be in pain?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just thinking about it made her heart ache enough to break.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The freezing rain splattered against the umbrella and onto Lucas’s hollow cheeks. Eden’s eyelashes trembled. She used every last ounce of her strength to grip the handle, tilting the umbrella forward to shield him, ensuring his head remained completely dry.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She felt his stride stutter.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She wanted to say, *Don't leave this time, okay?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Because I really, truly missed you.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Every single day we were apart, I was thinking of you.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*I missed you so much.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*I love you so much.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*So many people say they like me, but I don't care about them. The one I like is you.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*I only like you.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden opened her mouth to whisper his name, but before the words could escape, her consciousness began to fray.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her grip loosened, and the umbrella fell into the abyss of the rain. In the final second before she blacked out, she heard Lucas screaming her name.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was shouting: \"Eden!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden, Eden, Eden...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why do you keep saying my name!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Because it sounds nice. As nice as 'Lucas Powell,'\" he said, looking smug.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Narcissist!\" Eden snapped. \"You're sitting in my seat!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know it's your seat. That's exactly why I'm sitting in it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If you've got the guts, stay there and don't ever leave!\" Eden yelled at him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm not leaving.\" The boy dropped his cocky facade, looking at her with such gentleness that it took her breath away. \"I'm right here. I'm never leaving again.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden? Eden?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Eden stirred in her dream, but before she could respond, someone shook her awake. She opened her eyes to find herself in a hospital bed with an IV drip attached to her hand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Shelby stood before her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Where's Lucas?\" Eden asked, trying to sit up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Shelby hurried over to adjust her pillows.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He’s probably already on the plane by now,\" Shelby said. \"Don't you remember? His flight was today.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a glow on Eden’s face. She stared out at the window. The pale blue sky was cloudless, save for a thin, white line trailing slowly across the horizon.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That plane would soar thousands of meters high, flying toward a horizon she could no longer reach.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Without realizing it, a tear fell, sliding down her cheek and soaking into the white medical tape on her hand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eden? Why are you crying? Are you still in pain?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes,\" Eden said, her voice gravelly. \"It hurts so much.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'll call the doctor—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Just let me sleep a little longer,\" Eden interrupted, tilting her head back to hide the tears. \"Let me sleep for a while longer, then the pain will stop.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Let me sleep a little longer.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once I'm back in the dream, I won't have to hurt anymore.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Because in that dream, Lucas said he was never leaving again.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272926973]